Spinulose wood-fern, spinulose shield-fern

This species is easy to grow. Florists use this fern in floral arrangements because it retains its shape and colours well. Spinulose shield fern contains filicin, a toxic substance that paralyzes cold-blooded animals and invertebrates. This makes it useful for expelling parasitic worms (roundworms, nematodes, flukes and tapeworms). Once the worms are paralyzed, a purgative is taken to expel them. This method is somewhat risky, however, and should be used only under medical supervision.