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
Mike Rosenthal