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Home / Polypodiaceae / Polystichum / Polystichum acrostichoides

Polystichum acrostichoides

Christmas Fern, Dagger Fern
Other regional names: Holly Fern
  • Holly Fern
Also known as: Aetopteron acrostichoides (Michx.) House +15 more
  • Aetopteron acrostichoides (Michx.) House
  • Aspidium acrostichoides (Michx.) Sw.
  • Aspidium acrostichoides var. incisum A.Gray
  • Aspidium schweinitzii L.C.Beck
  • Dryopteris acrostichoides var. incisa (A.Gray) Underw.
  • Nephrodium acrostichoides var. crispum (Clute) Hopkins
  • Nephrodium acrostichoides var. incisum (A.Gray) Hopkins
  • Polystichum acrostichoides f. acrostichoides
  • Polystichum acrostichoides f. crispum Clute
  • Polystichum acrostichoides f. cristatum Clute
  • Polystichum acrostichoides f. demittens C.F.Reed
  • Polystichum acrostichoides f. furcatum F.Seym.
  • Polystichum acrostichoides f. gymnosorum Neidorf
  • Polystichum acrostichoides f. incisum (A.Gray) Gilbert
  • Polystichum acrostichoides f. lanceolatum Clute
  • Polystichum acrostichoides f. ligulatum Gruber
Botanical Data
  • Taxonomic Rank: Species
  • Botanical Family: Polypodiaceae
  • WCVP Morphological Data: Recorded natively as a perennial.

Polystichum acrostichoides (commonly known as Christmas Fern or Dagger Fern) is a fern belonging to the Polypodiaceae family. Originating in North America, this species is primarily associated with temperate conditions. It belongs to the highly diverse genus Polystichum, which contains over 450 distinct species. There are naturally occurring varieties of this species, which are linked below.

Macro Climate
Temperate
Plant Type
Fern
Plant Type
Herbaceous Perennial

Native Range

Continents (WGSRPD)
NORTHERN AMERICA
Regions (WGSRPD)
Eastern Canada, Mexico, North-Central U.S.A., Northeastern U.S.A., South-Central U.S.A., Southeastern U.S.A.
Botanical Countries (WGSRPD L3)
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mexico Northeast, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Brunswick, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Pennsylvania, Prince Edward I., Québec, Rhode I., South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin

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)
Belgium
Subspecies, Varieties & Forms

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