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Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn

Blechnum spicant

Blechnum spicant (L.) Sm.

Deer Fern

Blechnaceae (Chain fern Family)

Synonym(s): Blechnum spicant ssp. nipponicum, Blechnum spicant var. elongatum, Lomaria spicant, Osmunda spicant, Struthiopteris spicant

USDA Symbol: blsp

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

A 1-2 ft., evergreen fern with several fronds from a basal tuft. The fronds are of two types: the outer, sterile fronds with broader pinnae surrounding a few fertile fronds. Each cluster of fronds arises from a short, creeping, woody rhizome.

From the Image Gallery

1 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb , Fern
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Notes: Up to about 2 feet tall. Fronds up to about 4 feet long.
Leaf: Dark Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Notes: Not a flowering plant. Reproduces by spores.

Distribution

USA: AK , CA , ID , OR , WA
Canada: BC
Native Distribution: Interruptedly circumboreal, s. in America in from coastal AK to c. CA; also n. ID
Native Habitat: Moist or wet, dense woods

Growing Conditions

Water Use: High
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist , Wet
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Moist soils.
Conditions Comments: A common fern in the wild that is very tractable in the garden.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:	AGCP	AK	AW	CB	EMP	GP	HI	MW	NCNE	WMVE
Status:		FAC	FAC							FAC

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

Bibliography

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

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-12-14
Research By: TWC Staff

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