Polystichum acrostichoides (Michaux) Schott. Christmas Fern. Phen: Jun-Nov. Hab: Moist to dry forests and woodlands, especially slopes, ravines, and small stream bottomlands. Dist: 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
Wetland Indicator Status:
Heliophily ⓘ: 3
See something wrong or missing on about Polystichum acrostichoides? Let us know here: (Please include your name and email if at all complicated so we can clarify if needed.) We greatly appreciate feedback, and will include updates from you in our next webapp update, which can take a few months.
Cite as...