Fangblättern

Fangblättern are a group of perennial herbaceous plants described in regional floras under the common name Fangblattia and related species. The name derives from their elongated, fang-like leaf margins, which give the plants a striking, predatory appearance. They are native to temperate forest regions of Europe and Asia, though cultivated varieties are widely grown in gardens.

Morphology: The plants form compact rosettes, with leaves 6–18 cm long and 1–2 cm wide. The leaf margins are deeply serrated into sharp, fang-like teeth. The upper leaf surface is smooth and green; the underside bears fine hairs. A flowering shoot rises to 20–25 cm, bearing small bell-shaped flowers in late spring.

Ecology and habit: Fangblättern typically inhabit shaded, moist soils in deciduous and mixed forests, at elevations from 600 to 1,600 m. Some species are described as insectivorous, using glandular margins that secrete mucilage to trap small arthropods. Digestion releases nutrients absorbed by the leaf, supplementing the plant’s nitrogen supply in nutrient-poor soils. They often form associations with mycorrhizal fungi.

Reproduction and cultivation: Flowering occurs in late spring; fruits are capsules containing numerous tiny seeds distributed by the wind. In horticulture, Fangblättern are valued for their dramatic foliage. They prefer partial shade, consistently moist, well-drained, acidic to neutral soils, and protection from frost. Propagation is by division or seed. Pests include slugs and aphids; diseases are uncommon under proper cultivation.

Taxonomy and conservation: The genus is informal in many field guides, with several species grouped under the umbrella term Fangblattia. Some populations are locally abundant; others are threatened by habitat loss and climate change. The etymology of Fangblättern traces to German Fang (tooth) and Blättern (leaves).