Although technically called the Western sword fern, this plant is more commonly known simply as a “sword fern” due to the long, bladelike appearance of its fronds. While, Boston Fern has allergic reactions which are Not Available. INTERESTING FACTS. Plant Data Sheet . Hardiness (USDA zones): 6-9 Size: 3' - 5' Size (cm): 91cm-152cm Height and Spread: Large - Over 3' in height or spread in 5 years Light Requirements: Sun tolerant, Deep shade tolerant Water Needs: Drought Tolerant Garden Use: Ground cover Origin: Canada, Mexico, North America, Pacific Northwest Sword fern is a large, common fern in coastal BC. While they are most commonly found growing in moist, wooded areas, sword ferns are quickly becoming popular in the home garden as well. Yes. Western sword fern is the sort of classic fern you are most likely to spot on a shady wooded trail, showing off its root muscles as it clings to rocky slopes or displaying its pack mentality as it nestles in a plant posse under stately redwoods. Sign up for our newsletter. Although ferns and plants like them were once the dominant plant species on earth, that began to change about 230 million years ago, when the cycads and conifers started to take over. The Western sword fern (Polystichum munitum) is one of the most versatile shade plants available to the American gardener. They are easy to identify. In addition to their graceful appearance, ease of planting and caring for sword ferns makes them great choices for the landscape. So for those looking to add interest and texture to the garden or fill in open areas, the sword fern plant may be just what the plant doctor ordered. Reproduce with spores. Note: When acquiring this plant, make sure that you are getting Polystichum munitum. While knowing What is Swordfern and Boston Fern, life cycle is important to know.The life cycle is the time span required for a plant to grow completely. Western Sword Fern is also known as Sword Holly Fern, Giant Holly Fern, Christmas Fern, Pineland Sword Fern, or Chamisso’s Shield Fern. When a sperm fertilizes the egg, a full set results and a mature new fern can grow. It is considered invasive by some, and when put in the wrong place it certainly can be. Young Western Sword Fern growing from a crack in a rock face. The sword fern (Polystichum munitum) plant is a lush evergreen ground cover known for its bright green, sword-shaped fronds. About Boston Ferns. Although most people prefer to grow them for ornamental purposes, they have other uses too. Fossil records of fern-like plants date back almost 400 million years ago. It grows in a tight clump but over time can become quite large. The sword fern is one of the most common ferns in the refuge’s forests and beyond. In 23 counties from the Gainesville area south, specimens of sword fern have been found and documented. Washington State University Clark County Extension: Sword Fern, San Francisco State University Department of Geography: The Biogeography of the Sword Fern. Pteridophyta – Ferns Class: Filicopsida Order: Polypodiales Family: Dryopteridaceae – Wood Fern family Genus: Polystichum Roth – hollyfern Species: Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) The sword fern can reach up to 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide in the right conditions and may get as many as 100 fronds from the base. Handsome, well-divided fronds with an upright form, a lance-shaped outline, and a leathery texture characterize this attractive sword fern. Sweeping ornamental Sword ferns are found naturally in wooded areas in the Western U.S., but are also popular as houseplants. Description– Dark green, single pinnate fronds that grow up to 5’ long, and issue from a central base. 6cm; 12cm; 20cm. The Swinomish tribe of Washington state used the leaves to cure sore throats, while women of the Lummi, also in Washington, chewed on leaves during childbirth. Description As one of the most prevalent Northwest native plants, Sword Fern is best known for its bright green arching fronds that grace the shaded forest floor from the Yukon all the way south into southern California. Plant type. They can even thrive in sun when given plenty of moisture. Because the fern reproduces by spore and spores only contain half the chromosomes necessary to produce a mature fern, the fern undergoes an intermediate reproductive stage. The frond’s underside holds sori ( a cluster of spore-containing structures) which produce yellow spores. sword-fern swordfern western sword-fern western sword fern TAXONOMY: The scientific name of western swordfern is Polystichum munitum (Kaufl.) Still, the ferns have had a very long run. The Olympic rain forest abounds with ferns of many types, but the sword fern is probably the most prolific. Planting takes place in spring, as soon as the ground can be worked. Adaptable as a ground cover, an understory plant growing beneath shading trees or shrubs, or a statement piece in a container, the Western sword fern grows well in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. It makes great cover for insects and small birds, and has many traditional uses from cooking and storing food to materials for mats and bedding. C. Presl – … The fossil record of fern-like plants starts almost 400 million years ago, and they are still with us today. You’ll find the young fronds, or fiddleheads, appearing in early spring from their underground rhizomes with most plants eventually reaching 4 to 6 feet long. Relationships: There are about 260 species of Polystichum worldwide with about 16 native to North America; and about 10 native to the Pacific Northwest. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/interesting-western-sword-fern-70704.html If the topic isn't already created (i.e. Charles Torrey Simpson (1920) wrote: “the real glory of the hammock is the two species of Nephrolepis, one being the well-known 'Boston' fern.” According to Foster (1984) “[N. exaltata] could be seen in homes and public buildings almost everywher… the link brings you to an empty search) then you must create the topic, using the topic naming convention explained here. Sword ferns transplant easily in the garden. Aug 18, 2017 - Explore Melanie Martin's board "Sword Fern", followed by 271 people on Pinterest. Polystichum munitum, the western swordfern, is an evergreen fern native to western North America, where it is one of the most abundant ferns. And while some people may be lucky enough to have these plants growing naturally on their property already, there are various cultivars available through nurseries. The stipes emerge from a central area known as the crown. Presl (Pol-ee-STIK-um mew-NEE-tum) Names: Polystichum means many rows, referring to the arrangement of the spore cases on the undersides of the fronds. The western sword fern has leathery, pinnate leaves up to 5 feet in length, with alternate pinnae, or leaflets, that can be 6 inches long. It is an evergreen that grows up to 1.5 m (~5') tall in the more southern parts of its range. Each blade has alternating leaflets along the stipe (stem). When sporophytes leave the frond and land on the ground and grow, they develop both male and female sex organs, the sperm and eggs of which each contain a half set of chromosomes. Excellent ground cover plants known as the crown ago, and a mature new fern can worked! Single pinnate fronds that grow up to 5 ’ long, the fern! 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