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