Freetip Maiden Fern
(Goniopteris tetragona)
Freetip Maiden Fern (Goniopteris tetragona)
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Nom. rev. Auckland Museum
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Nom. rev. Auckland Museum
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Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Nom. rev. Auckland Museum | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 | Uploader: Fæ | Publisher: Wikipedia Commons
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Goniopteris tetragona subsp. tetragona, commonly known as Freetip Maiden Fern, is a perennial fern native to tropical and subtropical regions in the Americas, often found in moist, shaded forest areas and along stream banks. This fern typically grows to a height of 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 meters) and a width of 3 feet (0.9 meters), featuring delicate, arching fronds with a lacy appearance. The fronds are bright green and can add a lush, tropical feel to garden settings.
Freetip Maiden Fern is appreciated for its ease of maintenance and its ability to thrive in shaded conditions, making it an excellent choice for understory plantings in woodland gardens or as a naturalizing ground cover. It requires consistently moist soil and benefits from high humidity, which mimics its native habitat. While it prefers shade, it can tolerate some morning sun if kept adequately watered. It is not commonly afflicted by diseases or pests, but overwatering can lead to root rot. This fern is not known for being invasive when grown outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0
Freetip Maiden Fern is appreciated for its ease of maintenance and its ability to thrive in shaded conditions, making it an excellent choice for understory plantings in woodland gardens or as a naturalizing ground cover. It requires consistently moist soil and benefits from high humidity, which mimics its native habitat. While it prefers shade, it can tolerate some morning sun if kept adequately watered. It is not commonly afflicted by diseases or pests, but overwatering can lead to root rot. This fern is not known for being invasive when grown outside its native range.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Fern
- Height: 4-6 feet
- Width: 2-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Non-Flowering
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Low Maintenance, Potted Plant
Natural Habitat
Tropical and subtropical moist, shaded forest areas and along stream banks
Other Names
Common Names: Freetip Stairhair Fern
Scientific Names: , Goniopteris tetragona subsp. tetragona, Thelypteris tetragona, Cyclosorus tetragonus, Goniopteris subtetragona, Dryopteris subtetragona, Polypodium tetragonum, Thelypteris subtetragona, Dryopteris tetragona, Goniopteris tetragona var. megalodus
GBIF Accepted Name: Goniopteris tetragona (Sw.) C.Presl