Botany
Dryopteris heterocarpa is a terrestrial fern with short, stout, creeping rhizomes clothed with brown scales. Stipes are tufted, scaly at the base and 30 to 50 centimeters long. Fronds are large, 30 to 90 centimeters long. Pinnae are linear-lanceolate, sessile, and 1 to 2 centimeters wide. Rachis and lower surface of the leaves are hairy, particularly on the veins, and are densely covered with yellow glands. Sori are medial, few or 6 to 9 on a side. Indusium is small.

Distribution
- Not common in the Philippines.
- Reported in Benguet, Bataan, and Laguna Provinces in Luzon, and Palawan.
- Also occurs south to Java, including the Malay Peninsula.

Parts used
Leaves.

Uses
Culinary
Young fronds reportedly eaten by the Pagan tribes of Western Pahang.
Folkloric
Leaves used by the Malays, rubbed on the skin for leukoderma.

Availability
Wild-crafted.

Additional Sources and Suggested Readings
(1)
Dryopteris heterocarpa (Blume) Kuntze / The Plant List
(2)
Cyclosorus heterocarpus / Chinese name / Catalogue of Life, China