| Marsh fern
|
| Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens
|
| Thelypteridaceae
|
Landscape Uses:
|
|
Primarily recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations. Also along the margins of ponds and lakes. |
Ecological Restoration Notes: |
|
|
| Availability: |
|
Grown by enthusiasts. |
| Description: |
| |
Medium herbaceous fern. |
| Height: |
| |
Typically 1-2 feet in height. Spreads from underground stems and forms small patches. |
| Growth Rate: |
| |
Moderate. |
| Range: |
| |
Widespread in eastern and central North America south to Miami-Dade County and the Monroe County mainland; Bermuda and Cuba. |
| Habitats: |
| |
Wet hammocks and marshes. |
| Soils: |
| |
Seasonally wet to moist, moderately well-drained to poorly drained organic soils. |
| Nutritional Requirements: |
| |
Moderate; can grow in nutrient poor soils, but needs some organic content to thrive. |
| Salt Water Tolerance: |
| |
Low; does not tolerate 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: |
| |
Low; requires moist to wet soils and is intolerant of long periods of drought. |
| Light Requirements: |
| |
Light shade to moderate shade. |
| Flower Color: |
| |
N/A. |
| Flower Characteristics: |
| |
There are no flowers; the plants reproduce by spores. |
| Flowering Season: |
| |
Summer-fall. |
| Fruit: |
| |
Inconspicuous spores. |
| Wildlife and Ecology: |
| |
|
| Horticultural Notes: |
| |
Can be grown from spores with difficulty, and division. |
| Comments: |
| |
|
|
|
|
George D. Gann In habitat on Long Pine Key, Everglades National Park, Miami-Dade County
|
|
George D. Gann In habitat on Long Pine Key, Everglades National Park, Miami-Dade County
|
|
|
|