Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

giant swordfern

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Nephrolepis biserrata

Family:

Nephrolepidaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

fern

Size:

To 3.5 ft

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Borders, groundcover on wooded edges. This is a very tall fern, so best planted toward the back of a garden.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries

Propagation:

Division.

Light:

Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Clay, Loam, Organic

Soil pH:

Suitable to Grow In:

10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Native Habitats:

Swamps, hammocks.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

This fern is listed as Threatened by the FDACS.  Where is it, however, it is highly robust.