Prefers a light, acid, deep sandy soil. Dislikes shade according to some reports whilst another says that it tolerates full sun but prefers light shade. Prefers a pH in the range 4 to 6. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. This is an extremely invasive plant and is a noxious weed. Plants can be cut down twice a year to provide compost material, this will not kill the plants. If the plants are cut down three times a year this will gradually weaken and eventually kill them.

Root - rich in a white starch that can be eaten raw or cooked. It can also be dried and ground into a powder[2, 13, 46, 55, 66, 94, 95, 102]. The root is very fibrous. When dried, it will store for years. The root contains 60% starch. The dry weight content of starch is between 43 and 72%. This starch can be extracted from the roots and is used in making dumplings which are eaten with soya flour and sugar as a delicacy. Young shoots - raw or cooked. They can be used like asparagus or like spinach. Somewhat flavorless, though they are considered to be a delicacy in Japan. The fronds should be used when less than 20cm long, longer ones have a terrible taste. The shoots are somewhat bitter so they are often blanched for a few minutes in boiling water, then left to soak in cold water for two hours before being cooked. Although this might well improve the flavor, it will greatly reduce the nutritional value. The shoots should be steeped in lye first. Occasional use should cause no problems, but regular consumption is not advisable because the shoots might be carcinogenic. The plant yields an edible saccharine substance. (from the cooking root??).

Spores can be surface sown in the same way as other ferns but this plant really does not need any help in spreading itself about. Division is also possible but totally unnecessary in most circumstances.

Forests, heaths and paddocks.