Embedded Files
Left: Polystichum aristichoides in ASMSA Garden in Spring 2024.
Left: Polystichum aristichoides in ASMSA Garden in Spring 2024.
Above: Polystichum aristichoides in full form on forest floor.
Above: Polystichum aristichoides in full form on forest floor.
Plant Characteristics
Plant Characteristics
Plant Preference/Growing Conditions:
Christmas Fern prefers partial shade/full shade and moist environments; it only needs "medium" water to thrive and loamy/sandy soil. pH needs to be between lower than 7.
Growth Habit/Description:
Perennial, robust fern. Glossy, leathery fronds stay throughout all seasons. Fronds can be 1-2 ft long with 20-35 pairs of leaves.
Bloom Season:
N/A
Fall and/or Winter Interest?
Yes, coverage/food for animals in the winter, evergreen foilage in all seasons.
https://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Polystichum%20acrostichoides.png
Distribution
Distribution
Habitat: Christmas Fern grows on the forest floor in moist environments, near stream beds and in thickets too.
Native to Arkansas? Yes
Native to Garland County? N/A
Endemic to Arkansas? N/A
Ecological Value
Ecological Value
Host Plant for Caterpillars?
No.
Other Known Ecological Value?
Coverage, food, and nesting within fall and winter seasons for small mammals and bugs. Known to attract songbirds.
Other Interesting Facts
Other Interesting Facts
Spores:
To reproduce, the Christmas fern produces "sori", or spores, on the underside of its leaves, which look like small brown seeds or speckles.
Attracted Birds:
The Christmas fern can attract Ruffed Grouse, as the bird uses parts of the fern for nesting. Ruffed Grouse are quite rare in Arkansas, due to loss of habitat and hunting.
Name Meaning:
Christmas Fern is named after Christmas due to it being present during the winter/Christmas seasons
References
References
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Raleigh (NC): North Carolina State University. Polystichum acrostichoides. [Cited 2024, May 1]. Available from: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/polystichum-acrostichoides/
Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center Plant Database. Austin (TX). Polystichum acrostichoides. [Cited 2024, May 1]. Available from: https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=POAC4
Widner M, James D, Smith K, Cartwright M. 1988. Reproduction, Dispersal, and Survivorship of Ruffed Grouse Reintroduced into Arkansas. Proc. Annu. Conf. Southeast. Assoc. Fish and Wild\. Agencies 42:349-357.
Last edited by Kira Burnett, May 2024.
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