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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Polystichum munitum (Western swordfern)
Cressler, Alan

Polystichum munitum

Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) C. Presl

Western Swordfern, Pineland Swordfern

Dryopteridaceae (Wood Fern Family)

Synonym(s): Polystichum munitum var. incisoserratum

USDA Symbol: POMU

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N)

This is a "refined" fern with a massive clump of 3-5 ft., dark-green fronds that resemble a palm tree top cut off. The fronds are evergreen and occur in clumps of 75-100.

 

From the Image Gallery

3 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb , Fern
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Notes: Fronds up to about 5 feet long.
Leaf: Dark Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Notes: Non-flowering, sporulating plant.

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , ID , MT , OR , SD , WA
Canada: BC , MB
Native Distribution: CA coast, n. to AK & to n.w. MT
Native Habitat: Damp conifer woods below 2500 ft.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Various moist soils but tolerates dry conditions.
Conditions Comments: This fern is deer proof. It transplants well and lends a look of lushness to the woodland garden. Looks best planted in groups or drifts.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Propagation

Description: Spores. It will spread well on it's own but plants can be divided in fall.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: FACU FACU FACU FACU
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 928 - 100 easy-to-grow native plants for Canadian gardens (2005) Johnson, L.; A. Leyerle

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Polystichum munitum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Polystichum munitum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Polystichum munitum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-12-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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