Polystichum acrostichoides (Michaux) Schott. Common name: Christmas Fern. Phenology: Jun-Nov. Habitat: Moist to dry forests and woodlands, especially slopes, ravines, and small stream bottomlands. Distribution: NS west to MN, south to s. FL and e. TX; also in ne. Mexico (NLE and TAM).
ID notes: One of the most familiar ferns in e. North America.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: Var. lonchitoides Brooks, allegedly endemic to WV, is just a form and should not be recognized taxonomically.
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, ETx1, F, Fl1, FNA2, G, GrPl, Il, K3, K4, Mo1, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S13, Sf, Tn, Tx, TxFerns, Va, W, WH3, WV; > Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Schott var. acrostichoides – K1, Tat; > Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Schott var. lonchitoides Brook – K1; > Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Schott var. schweinitzii (Beck) Small – Tat
Links to other floras: = Polystichum acrostichoides - FNA2
Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
- Great Plains: FACU
- Midwest: UPL
- Northcentral & Northeast: FACU
Heliophily ⓘ: 3
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Horticultural Information
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Height: 1-2 ft.
plant sale text: Christmas fern is easily grown in a variety of soils, and tolerates partial to full shade. This SE native fern is commonly seen growing in woodlands throughout North Carolina. Its leathery evergreen fronds bear stocking-shaped pinnae, which is one explanation for how it got its common name. Established plants grow into sizable clumps that add color and interest to the shade garden throughout the year. Christmas fern can be planted singly as an accent, or en masse as a ground cover.
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native range: eastern N. America & Mexico