Nephrolepis cordifolia
Boston Fern, Erect Sword Fern
Other regional names: Fishbone Fern +4 more
- Fishbone Fern
- Ladder Fern
- Narrow Sword Fern
- Narrow Swordfern
- Tuber Ladder Fern
Also known as: Aspidium cordifolium var. tambourinensis (Domin) F.M.Bailey +10 more
- Aspidium cordifolium var. tambourinensis (Domin) F.M.Bailey
- Aspidium edule (D.Don) Spreng.
- Aspidium sublanosum Wall.
- Aspidium tuberosum Bory ex Willd.
- Aspidium volubile var. cavernicola (Domin) F.M.Bailey
- Asplenium bulbosum Lour.
- Humata falcata (Sw.) Cav.
- Humata falcata (Sw.) Cav. ex Desv.
- Nephrodium cordifolium (L.) Baker
- Nephrodium edule D.Don
- Nephrodium imbricatum (Kaulf. ex Spreng.) Bojer
Botanical Data
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
- Botanical Family: Polypodiaceae
- WCVP Morphological Data: Recorded natively as a lithophyte or epiphyte.
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Nephrolepis cordifolia (commonly known as Boston fern or Erect Sword Fern) is an epiphytic or lithophytic fern belonging to the Polypodiaceae family. Indigenous to Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific, this species is primarily associated with subtropical conditions. There are naturally occurring varieties of this species, which are linked below.
Macro Climate
Subtropical
Plant Type
Fern
Plant Type
Air Plant
Native Range
Continents (WGSRPD)
AFRICA, ASIA-TEMPERATE, ASIA-TROPICAL, AUSTRALASIA, PACIFIC
Regions (WGSRPD)
Australia, China, Eastern Asia, Indian Subcontinent, Indo-China, Malesia, North-Central Pacific, Northwestern Pacific, South-Central Pacific, Southwestern Pacific, West-Central Tropical Africa, Western Indian Ocean
Botanical Countries (WGSRPD L3)
Assam, Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, Cameroon, Caroline Is., China South-Central, China Southeast, Comoros, East Himalaya, Fiji, Gulf of Guinea Is., Hainan, Hawaii, India, Japan, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Korea, Laccadive Is., Laos, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Marquesas, Mauritius, Myanmar, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, New Caledonia, New South Wales, Norfolk Is., Ogasawara-shoto, Philippines, Pitcairn Is., Queensland, Réunion, Seychelles, Society Is., South China Sea, Sri Lanka, Sulawesi, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Tubuai Is., Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Himalaya
Introduced Range
Plants flagged as 'Introduced' have been transported outside their native historical range by human activity. While many are common ornamentals, some may become naturalized or invasive in local environments. Local ecological guidelines require verification prior to planting.
Botanical Countries (Non-Native)
Alabama, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Azores, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, California, Cape Provinces, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Florida, France, French Guiana, Galápagos, Georgia, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Leeward Is., Madeira, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, Nicaragua, Northern Provinces, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Surinam, Swaziland, Tanzania, Windward Is.
Subspecies, Varieties & Forms