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Nephrolepis cordifolia
(L.) C.Presl
Tuberous Sword Fern
Nephrolepidaceae
Nephrolepis cordifolia is a species of fern in the family Nephrolepidaceae. It has a worldwide distribution, from the Americas to Africa to Pacific Islands. It is commonly grown as a houseplant, and has become invasive in parts of the United States.
Description
Nephrolepis cordifolia is sometimes epiphytic, growing on trees. The species has erect rhizomes that are covered with yellow-brown, lanceolate scales. Leaves are pinnate, 25 to 75 cm long and 3 to 6 cm wide, with a linear to lanceolate outline, on a stipe that is 5 to 15 cm long and scaly like the rhizome. Each leaf has 40 to 120 lanceolate leaflet pairs, each about 2 cm long and 1 cm wide, with an uneven base and finely or bluntly toothed. Leaflets are shorter near the top. Sori are crescent-shaped and indusia are brown (Wu et al. 2013). The plant appears to be nontoxic (Spoerke and Smolinske 1990).
Cultivar 'Duffii' is often grown as a houseplant. It was originally described as its own species, then reclassified as a form (Nephrolepis cordifolia f. duffii). The cultivar may actually be a cultivar of another species (Tryon 1962).
Cultivar 'Duffii' is often grown as a houseplant. It was originally described as its own species, then reclassified as a form (Nephrolepis cordifolia f. duffii). The cultivar may actually be a cultivar of another species (Tryon 1962).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Nephrolepis cordifolia is often grown as a houseplant, especially the cultivar 'Duffii' (Tryon 153), to the point that it has become invasive in Florida (Langeland et al. 2008).
Distribution
Nephrolepis cordifolia grows along streams in forests, at an altitude of up to 1500 m. It is extremely widespread, found in the Americas, Africa, southwestern to eastern Asia to Indonesia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands (Wu et al. 2013).
In the state of Florida, it is considered an invasive species, often invading native ground cover and replacing it (Langeland et al. 2008).
In the state of Florida, it is considered an invasive species, often invading native ground cover and replacing it (Langeland et al. 2008).
Status
References
Langeland, K. A., Cherry, H. M., McCormick, C. M., and Craddock Burks, K. A. 2008. Identification and biology of nonnative plants in Florida’s natural areas. Gainesville, FL: IFAS Communication Services, University of Florida.
Spoerke, D. G., and Smolinske, S. C. 1990. Toxicity of Houseplants. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Tryon, R. 1962. A Note on Nephrolepis cordifolia cv. Duffii. American Fern Journal, 52(4): 153–155.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2013. Flora of China. Vol. 2-3 (Lycopodiaceae through Polypodiaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Spoerke, D. G., and Smolinske, S. C. 1990. Toxicity of Houseplants. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
Tryon, R. 1962. A Note on Nephrolepis cordifolia cv. Duffii. American Fern Journal, 52(4): 153–155.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2013. Flora of China. Vol. 2-3 (Lycopodiaceae through Polypodiaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Description
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