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Summary

Form: Irregular or sprawling, Upright or erect.

Physical Characteristics

Polystichum acrostichoides is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses:

Young fronds[159, 257]. No more details are given, but they are probably harvested as they unfurl and eaten cooked.

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiaphonic Emetic Poultice

Christmas fern was employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes, who used it to treat a variety of complaints[257]. It is little, if at all, used in modern herbalism. A tea made from the root is blood purifier, emetic and febrifuge[222, 257]. It is used in the treatment of chills, fevers, pneumonia, stomach or bowel complaints and rheumatism[222, 257]. A poultice of the root is used in the treatment of rheumatism[222]. A decoction of the root has been massaged into rheumatic joints[257]. The powdered root has been inhaled and then coughed up in order to restore the voice[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Erosion control, Foundation, Ground cover, Massing, Rock garden, Woodland garden. Prefers a sandy humus-rich soil in a shady position that is moist even in winter[1]. Tolerates part sun for up to 6 hours a day if the soil remains moist[200]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 to 7.5[200]. A very ornamental plant, it is hardy in all parts of Britain but is best grown in a greenhouse[1]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Remove old fronds from the plant in the spring because they may harbour fungal diseases[200]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, North American native, Attracts butterflies, There are no flowers or blooms. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. An evergreen. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Spores - best sown as soon as they are ripe, though they can also be sown in the spring. Sow them on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep humid until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old and then only in a very well sheltered position. Division. This is best done in the spring[188].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Polystichum aculeatum	Hard Shield Fern	Fern	0.8	4-8		LM	FS	M	1	0	2
Polystichum munitum	Giant Holly Fern, Western swordfern	Fern	1.0	4-8		LM	FS	DM	1	2	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Polystichum acrostichoides - (Michx.)Schott.