FNPS Plant Database
Ctenitis sloanei
Florida tree fern, red-hair comb fern
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Nomenclature
Common Name:
Florida tree fern, red-hair comb fern
Synonym(s):
Genus species:
Ctenitis sloanei
Family:
Dryopteridaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
tree
Size:
3-4 ft tall
Life Span:
long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
Fruit Color:
Phenology:
Noted For:
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Specimen plant or mass planting in well-drained but moist, humid sites.
Considerations:
Rarely sold and difficult to find; listed as Endangered by the State of Florida.
Availability:
Propagation:
Light:
Moisture Tolerance:
Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry
-|----|----|----|----|----|----
<----> ----|----|----|----|----|-
Somewhat moist, no flooding ---to--- Somewhat moist, no flooding
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or Other Substrate:
Humus (organic, upland), Lime Rock
Soil pH:
Suitable to Grow In:
10B, 11
USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.

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Ecology
Wildlife:
Native Habitats:
Limestone with humus. Found on edges of tropical sink holes, and in Bermuda, around cave entrances.
Natural Range in Florida:
Visit the USF Libraries Atlas of Florida Plants
Comments:
Ethnobotany:
General Comments:
