Golden polypody
Phlebodium aureum
Polypodiaceae


Landscape Uses:

Accent epiphyte.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Grown by enthusiasts and occasionally by native plant nurseries.
Description:
Epiphytic fern with erect or arching leaves spreading from a creeping stem (rhizome) that is densely covered with golden-colored hair-like scales.
Height:
Fronds 2-3 feet in length. Plants spread and form small patches.
Growth Rate:
Moderate.
Range:
Southern Georgia and Alabama south to the Monroe County Keys; West Indies, Mexico, Central America and South America. Rare in the Monroe County Keys and very rare or absent in the middle Keys.
Habitats:
Moist forests and swamps.
Soils:
Epiphytic; or terrestrial in moist, well-drained humusy leaf litter, acid to neutral pH.
Nutritional Requirements:
Moderate; can grow on nutrient poor substrate, but needs some nutrient inputs to thrive.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance:
Moderate; requires moist substrate and high humidity to thrive.
Light Requirements:
Light shade to moderate shade or full sun.
Flower Color:
N/A.
Flower Characteristics:
There are no flowers; the plants reproduce by spores.
Flowering Season:
All year.
Fruit:
Inconspicuous spores.
Wildlife and Ecology:
Horticultural Notes:
Can be grown from spores.
Comments:


George D. Gann
Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton
Shirley Denton
Joe Montes de Oca via iNaturalist.
Keith A. Bradley
Jay Horn via iNaturalist.