FNPS Plant Database

Thelypteris spp.

maiden fern

PHOTOS COMING SOON!

Nomenclature

Common Name:

maiden fern

Synonym(s):

Thelypteris kunthii, Thelypteris palustris, Thelypteris dentata, Thelypteris interrupta, Thelypteris ovata, Thelyteris serrata, etc.

Genus species:

Thelypteris spp.

Family:

Thelypteridaceae

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.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Friends

Propagation:

Division. These ferns will spread broadly if conditions are appropriate.

Light:

Part Sun, Shade

Moisture Tolerance:

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

Coming Soon!

Stays wet ---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, Organic

Soil pH:

Varies, mostly acidic

Suitable to Grow In:

8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.



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Ecology

Wildlife:

Cover for many ground-dwelling species.

Native Habitats:

Hydric and mesic hammocks, shallow swamps and swamp edges, floodplains.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

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.

Citations:

Osorio, Rufino. 2001. A gardener's guide to Florida's native Plants.  University Press of Florida, Gainesville, FL.



Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. 2021. Atlas of Florida Plants (http://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/).  Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.

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