Scythian-lamb
Cibotium barometz (L.) J.Sm.
Cibotium barometz is a tree fern in the family Cibotiaceae, commonly known as Scythian-lamb. It is native to regions in East and Southeast Asia, including China, India, Indochina, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The plant was first described in 1842 and is associated with the mythical 'Vegetable Lamb of Tartary' due to its woolly rhizome.
Description
Cibotium barometz is a species of tree fern found in subtropical and tropical climates across China, the Himalayas, Southeast Asia, and the Malay Archipelago. It belongs to the genus Cibotium and is distinguished by its woolly rhizome, which historically inspired the legend of the 'Vegetable Lamb of Tartary'. The plant is also known as golden chicken fern or woolly fern in English. It is widely distributed in areas such as China South-Central, China Southeast, Assam, Cambodia, and the Philippines. The species was formally described in 1842 and is part of the Cibotiaceae family. A detailed discussion of its nomenclature and taxonomy can be found in van Steenis' Flora Malesiana and related botanical literature.
Other common names
Scythian-lamb
Distribution
TW · Assam · Cambodia · China South-Central · China Southeast · East Himalaya · Hainan · Jawa · Laos · Malaya · Myanmar · Nansei-shoto · New Guinea · Philippines · Sumatera · Taiwan · Thailand · Tibet · Vietnam
Synonyms
Cibotium glaucophyllumCibotium sumatranumDicksonia assamicaPolypodium barometzAspidium barometzDicksonia barometzNephrodium barometzCibotium glaucescensBalantium glaucescensCibotium assamicumCibotium djambianumCibotium baranetzCibotium barometz var. sumatranumDicksonia baranetzDicksonia baromez
