A RARE water fern, new to Shenzhen, was discovered in a section of Maozhou River in Guangming District, said the Department of Natural Resources of Guangdong Province.

The water fern, with the scientific name ceratopteris thalictroides (L.) Brongn., is classified as a second-class vulnerable plant species on the List of National Key Protected Wild Plants in China.

The fern sprouted in a swamp area abutting an under-construction greenway. It stood out among surrounding grasses in the area with its pale green color, deltoid (triangular) to ovate (oval or egg-shaped) fronds (leaves) and 10 to 30 centimeters in diameter.

The fern belongs to the genus Ceratopteris, has a pale green color and goes up to 70 centimeters high, with short and erect stripes and roots in mud. It contains low lipids and carbohydrates but high amino acids and crude fibers. It is often found in wetlands such as lakes and rice fields with little environmental pollution.

According to Chinese herbology, water fern has high medicinal value and the whole plant can be used as a medicine to stop bleeding. It can also be cooked as a vegetable and is prized for being rich in nutrients.

(Xia Yuanjie)