Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Schott

  • Authority

    Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

  • Family

    Dryopteridaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Schott

  • Description

    Species Description - Rhizome short-creeping; lvs 3–7.5 dm, the green petiole a fourth to two-fifths as long as the blade; blade pinnate, 5–12 cm wide, lance- linear, acuminate, not reduced at base; pinnae alternate, 20–35 pairs, linear-oblong, acute, sharply auricled at the upper base, dark green and scaleless above, paler and with hair-like scales beneath; fertile upper pinnae abruptly smaller; sori commonly in 2 rows on each side of the midrib; indusium thick, entire, blackish when dry; 2n=82. Woods and open thickets; N.S. to Wis., s. to Fla., Tex., and Mex. A hybrid with no. 2 [Polystichum lonchitis (L.) Roth] is P. ×hagenahii Cody.

  • Common Names

    Christmas-fern