Pelazoneuron kunthii (Desvaux) A.R. Smith & S.E. Fawcett. Common name: Kunth's Maiden Fern, Southern Shield Fern. Phenology: (Jan-) May-Aug (-Dec). Habitat: Coquina limestone (‘marl’) outcrops, calcareous bluffs and sinkhole slopes, also adventive on and around coquina limestone (marl) riprap around small bridges and ditches and in suburban forests. Distribution: Se. NC south to s. FL and west to c. TX; West Indies; Mexico south through Central America into n. South America.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = Fawcett & Smith (2021); = Cyclosorus kunthii (Desv.) Christenh.; = Thelypteris kunthii (Desv.) C.V.Morton — Ar, Bah, ETx1, Fl1, FNA2, Meso1, NS, POWO, RAB, SFla, Tx, TxFerns, WH3; < Christella normalis (C.Chr.) Holttum — K4; < Dryopteris normalis C.Chr.; < Thelypteris normalis (C.Chr.) Moxley — Sf; Nephrodium kunthii Desvaux. Basionym: Nephrodium kunthii Desv. 1827
Links to other floras: = Thelypteris kunthii - FNA2
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACW (name change)
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACW (name change)
- Great Plains: FAC (name change)
Heliophily ⓘ: 3
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© Erik Danielson source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Pelazoneuron kunthii, Citra Cypress Grotto, St. Johns River Water Management Lands, Marion County, Florida 2 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Joey Shaw source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Pelazoneuron kunthii, Little Pine Log Mountain, Pine Log Wildlife Management Area, Bartow County, Georgia 3 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Pelazoneuron kunthii, Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area, Wildcat Creek Tract, Dawson County, Georgia 1 by Alan Cressler source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
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Height: 2-3 ft.
plant sale text: The gracefully arching fronds of Southern shield fern are very attractive in the garden. Easy to grow and very heat-tolerant, this fern looks good spring through fall as long as the soil remains moist. In the wild, this plant is typically found in coastal forests. After a hard freeze, the fronds turn a beautiful bronze color, adding winter interest to your garden for some weeks. In the spring, Southern shield fern is slow to produce new fronds, so be sure not to inadvertently plant something else where it is established.
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native range: southeastern United States
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