Tectaria

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At-A-Glance Information

Commonly referred to as Halberd Ferns, this genus is comprised of species of ferns that are native to 

Tectaria Species and Varietals

The genus Tectaria includes somewhere around 230 species and is a member of the plant family Tectariaceae. Tectaria ferns grow best in zones ??? ​To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Tectaria cicutaria (Button Fern)
​Native to the Antilles, these ferns produce soft, thin, green triangular fronds that reach up to 3.5 feet long when mature. Blades are once or twice-pinnate with pinnately-lobed final segments. It grows from a short, erect rhizome root. Good for growing indoors or in a greenhouse in most zones, these plants typically grow in wet, tropical areas.

Tectaria estremerana (Puerto Rico Halberd Fern)
These plants are endemic to Puerto Rico, and the species is considered to be endangered with extinction in its native range. The species produces fronds up to over 30 inches long, held on hairy, orange-brown stipes. Leaves are divided into a few elongated leaflets and are green.

Tectaria gemmifera (Snail Fern)
This species is native to the DRC, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Madagascar. It prefers to grow on deeply shaded forest floors in moist or tropical forests. The specific epithet refers to the gemma (modified asexual reproductive tissues) produced by fronds.

Tectaria zeilanica (Tectaria zeylanica) (Oak Leaf Fern)
This species of fern is native to Sri Lanka, India, China, Vietnam, and Taiwan. It forms a small, low-growing fern with erect fertile fronds and sterile lower fronds that are shaped like the leaves of Oak trees and shrubs. 
Bicolor Shiso
Leaves are green above, red below.
Early Select Kkaennip
A classic Korean Perilla with mint-basil flavor. Leaves pickled for kimchi or used as wraps.
Green Shiso
With foliage that is green on both sides.
Red Shiso
With leaves that are red on both sides.
Ruffled Green Shiso
With leaves that are ruffled and green on both sides.
Ruffled Red Shiso
With leaves that are ruffled and red on both sides.
Variegated Shiso
Leaves are variegated with green and red on both sides.

Caring for Crambe


Harvesting Perilla
Perilla species are cultivated for their fragrant foliage and seeds. Leaves typically have a flavor that is grassy with notes of licorice or anise, and is a bit minty as well in some varieties. The leaves are used fresh as garnish or tossed into salads, steamed, sauteed, or tempura-fried. Red varieties are sometimes steeped in hot water and juiced. 

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Crambe are typically resilient plants, though they can have issues with the following in the landscape:
  • Slugs and Snails
  • Aphids
  • Cabbage Worms
  • Flea Beetles
  • Grasshopper
  • Clubroot
For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to treat or prevent them, consult the following links:
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Gallery

Crambe has a great way of filling in height above low-growing companion plants.
These plants have beautiful grey-green foliage.
Even out of bloom, Crambe provides some much needed interest to this bed.
Here, Crambe is planted in a border alongside Roses, Lavender, and various evergreens.
Saponaria is interplanted with Crambe in this two-tone bed.
Crambe flower shows are unmatched.

Videos

All you need to know about growing Crambe.
Check out Sea Kale, a great permaculture garden plant.

Resources

Wikipedia: Tectaria
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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