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
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
	(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

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.