Transformational Gardening


Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides): Images

Date Location Notes Images
July 2, 2012 Southeastern, New Hampshire Merry Christmas Fern! It is a member of the Holly Fern genus (Polystichum). Some simple keys to identify this fern:
  • Leathery leaves.
  • Pinnately compound.
  • Pinnule (leafule) with triangular auricle at base.
  • Fertile pinnae (leaflets) on upper part of frond (leaf) and are much smaller than lower, non-fertile pinnae.
  • Sori covers fertile pinnae.
  • Two lowest pinnae often down-pointed.
  • Hairs/spines at tip of pinnule teeth.