Narrowleaf Swordfern
(Polystichum imbricans)
Narrowleaf Swordfern (Polystichum imbricans)
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George Williams
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
George Williams
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: George Williams | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: George Williams | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-10-29T09:12:48-07:00 |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Polystichum imbricans, commonly known as Narrowleaf Swordfern, is an evergreen fern native to the understory of coniferous forests in the Western United States, particularly in regions such as the Pacific Northwest. It thrives in the dappled shade of these moist, temperate woodlands. The fern reaches a typical height of 18-32 inches (45-80 centimeters) with a similar spread. Its appearance is characterized by erect, linear or lance-shaped fronds that can grow up to 80 centimeters long, each frond composed of numerous narrow, overlapping, and sometimes twisting leaflets, each 2 to 4 centimeters long with toothed edges. The dark green foliage remains attractive throughout the year.
Narrowleaf Swordfern is valued for its lush, evergreen foliage and its ability to thrive in shady conditions, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and ferneries. It is also used for underplanting beneath larger shrubs and trees. This fern is relatively low-maintenance, requiring only consistent moisture and well-drained soil. It prefers part shade to full shade and medium water, and it is well-suited to soils with fast drainage. While it does form hybrids, which can sometimes be fertile and are considered separate species, this does not typically pose a problem in cultivation.CC BY-SA 4.0
Narrowleaf Swordfern is valued for its lush, evergreen foliage and its ability to thrive in shady conditions, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and ferneries. It is also used for underplanting beneath larger shrubs and trees. This fern is relatively low-maintenance, requiring only consistent moisture and well-drained soil. It prefers part shade to full shade and medium water, and it is well-suited to soils with fast drainage. While it does form hybrids, which can sometimes be fertile and are considered separate species, this does not typically pose a problem in cultivation.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Fern
- Height: 3-5 feet
- Width: 2-5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Non-Flowering
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Shade, Part Shade
- Water: Medium
- Drainage: Fast
Common Uses
Deer Resistant, Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Understory of coniferous forests in the Western United States
Other Names
Common Names: Imbricate Sword Fern
Scientific Names: , Polystichum imbricans, Polystichum munitum f. imbricans,
GBIF Accepted Name: Polystichum imbricans (D.C.Eaton) D.H.Wagner