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Polystichum acrostichoides
(Michx.) Schott
Christmas Fern
Dryopteridaceae
Polystichum acrostichoides is a species of fern in the family Dryopteridaceae. It is native to eastern North America, and is often grown as an ornamental.
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Description
Polystichum acrostichoides has leaves with dimorphic leaflets, an unusual feature shared with some Asian species. Sterile leaves are 30 to 80 cm, on a stipe that is a fourth to third the length of leaf itself. The stipe is densely scaly with light brown scales that are smaller farther up the stipe. Leaves are narrowly lanceolate, pinnate. Leaflets are oblong or hook-shaped (asymmetrical at the base), 2 to 6 cm long, shorter near the base. Margins are toothed or spiny, the leaflet tips are pointed, or blunt. Sori are found on the upper leaflets, and cover the entire lower side of the leaflets; indusia have smooth margins (FNAEC 1993).
Polystichum acrostichoides hybridizes with Polystichum braunii and Polystichum lonchitis (FNAEC 1993).
Polystichum acrostichoides hybridizes with Polystichum braunii and Polystichum lonchitis (FNAEC 1993).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Polystichum acrostichoides is often cultivated as a hardy ornamental. It prefers well-drained soils in part to full shade, but can tolerate drier soils. It grows in USDA zones 3 to 9 (MBG). Its evergreen fronds were collected around Christmas for decoration (Mohlenbrock 1999).
Distribution
Polystichum acrostichum is found on the forest floor or on shady, rocky slopes, at an altitude of up to 1500 m. It is a widespread species, native from Nova Scotia west to southeastern Minnesota, south to Mexico, east to Florida. It is also naturalized in Europe (FNAEC 1993).
Status
References
FNAEC (Flora of North America Editorial Committee), editor. 1993. Flora of North America, north of Mexico. Volume 2: Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. New York: Oxford University Press.
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Polystichum acrostichoides. Plant Finder. [accessed 2019 Jun 12]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a710
Mohlenbrock, R. H. 1999. Ferns. Carbondale, IL: SIU Press.
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Polystichum acrostichoides. Plant Finder. [accessed 2019 Jun 12]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=a710
Mohlenbrock, R. H. 1999. Ferns. Carbondale, IL: SIU Press.
Description
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