Photo by: Shirley Denton, Suncoast Chapter FNPS
Nomenclature
Common Name:
wild Boston fern
Synonym(s):
Genus species:
Nephrolepis exaltata
Family:
Nephrolepidaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
fern
Size:
to 1 to 1.5 ft, spreads broadly by rhisomes
Life Span:
Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
NA
Fruit Color:
NA
Phenology:
evergreen
Noted For:
Interesting Foliage
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Groundcover especially in shady moist areas. Spreads by rhizomes.
Considerations:
This can be aggressive. Be careful to plant it where you can contain it.
Availability:
Native Nurseries, Friends
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:
Acidic
Suitable to Grow In:
8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11
Ecology
Wildlife:
Native Habitats:
Wet-dry sites. Swamps, hammocks, yards.
Natural Range in Florida:
Visit the USF Libraries Atlas of Florida Plants
Comments:
Ethnobotany:
General Comments:
Very similar in appearance to several non-natives which are invasive pests, esp. N. cordifolia. If there are spherical tubers amongst the roots, it's N. cordifolia, the invasive tuberous swordfern. In this vein, it appears that herbarium specimens from further north than indicated on our map have been reclassified as something other than N. exaltata. We do not show those areas on our map.
