Nephrolepis exaltata
Boston Sword Fern, Boston Swordfern
Other regional names: Sword Fern
- Sword Fern
Also known as: Aspidium exaltatum (L.) Schkuhr +3 more
- Aspidium exaltatum (L.) Schkuhr
- Aspidium flagelliferum Roxb. ex Wall.
- Nephrodium exaltatum (L.) Desv.
- Nephrodium exaltatum (L.) Kunth
Botanical Data
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
- Botanical Family: Polypodiaceae
- WCVP Morphological Data: Recorded natively as a epiphyte.
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Indigenous to North America, the Pacific, and South America, Nephrolepis exaltata (commonly known as Boston sword fern) is an epiphytic fern belonging to the Polypodiaceae family. Within its native range, this species is primarily associated with subtropical conditions. There are naturally occurring subspecies of this species, which are linked below.
Macro Climate
Subtropical
Plant Type
Fern
Plant Type
Air Plant
Native Range
Continents (WGSRPD)
NORTHERN AMERICA, PACIFIC, SOUTHERN AMERICA
Regions (WGSRPD)
Brazil, Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, North-Central Pacific, South-Central U.S.A., Southeastern U.S.A., Southwestern U.S.A., Western South America
Botanical Countries (WGSRPD L3)
Arizona, Bahamas, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil North, Brazil Northeast, Brazil South, Brazil Southeast, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Florida, Hawaii, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Louisiana, Mexico Gulf, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Texas, Turks-Caicos Is.
Introduced Range
An “Introduced” distribution indicates that the plant is recorded outside its native range in that region as a result of deliberate or accidental human introduction. Introduced records may include casual, naturalized or invasive populations, but do not include plants that are only cultivated or planted without self-sustaining populations.
Botanical Countries (Non-Native)
Algeria, Arkansas, Azores, Canary Is., India, Kermadec Is., Line Is., Morocco, Portugal, Queensland, St.Helena, Tanzania, Tubuai Is., Western Australia
Subspecies, Varieties & Forms