Thelypteris spp.
Maiden Fern
Thelypteridaceae
Also known as Thelypteris kunthii, Thelypteris palustris, Thelypteris dentata, Thelypteris interrupta, Thelypteris ovata, Thelyteris serrata, etc.
Plant Specifics
| Form: | Fern | |
| Size: | 1-2 (5) ft tall by Spreads ft wide | |
| Life Span: | Long-lived perennial | |
| Flower Color: | NA | |
| Fruit Color: | NA | |
| Phenology: | Evergreen | |
| Noted for: | Interesting foliage |
Landscaping
| Recommended Uses: | Groundcover recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restoration. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Considerations: | The native range varies by species. Please use species appropriate to your area. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Propagation: | Division. These ferns will spread broadly if conditions are appropriate. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Availability: | Friends, Native nurseries | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Light: | Part Shade, Shade | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: |
always floodedextremely dry |
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| (Stays Wet ----- to ----- Not wet but not extremely dry) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Moisture Tolerance: | Stays Wet ----- to ----- Not wet but not extremely dry | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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), Loam, Organic material (muck), Lime rock, Sand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Soil pH: | Varies, mostly acidic | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ecology
| Wildlife: |
Cover for many ground-dwelling species. | |
| Insects: | ||
| Native Habitats: | Hydric and mesic hammocks, shallow swamps and swamp edges, floodplains. |
Distribution and Planting Zones
Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones
Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 11 8A 8B 9A 9B
USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures
Comments
| General Comments: | These are generally moist site ferns though some (T. kunthii, T. ovata) grow in mesic uplands. Most are similar in appearance, and all will grow in a moist, shady garden setting. Most are adaptable and easy to grow. |