|
Christmas Fern
This fern does not spread but the clumps increase in size over time. Stocking shape of the pinnae also suggests Christmas. The Christmas Fern, Polystichum acrostichoides, occurs in both dry and moist wooded slopes, moist banks and ravines. It typically grows in a fountain-like clump to 2' tall and features leathery, lance-shaped, evergreen (green at Christmas time as the common name suggests) fronds. Christmas ferns are asymmetrical with a fine texture and has a moderately dense crown. The evergreen fronds provide good winter interest for the landscape. Sori appear on the undersides of the pinnae only at the ends (last 1/3) of the fronds. Crosiers (young fiddleheads) in spring are silvery and scaled. These plants serve as hosts for butterfly larvae. ... more information
Leatherwood Fern The Leatherwood Fern or Marginal Shield Fern is an evergreen fern which typically forms a non-spreading, vase-shaped clump to 1. This is a woodland fern which is most often found in shaded crevices of rocky ledges and bluffs. Leatherwood Ferns features grayish-green, deeply cut, leathery fronds (15-20" long). Sori are located at the edges or margins of the pinnule undersides, hence the common name. |
|
