ExplorePlants

sword ferns

Nephrolepis

Sword ferns are beautiful green plants that grow in shady places. They have long, sword-like leaves that can be very tall and are fun to touch and explore!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The sword fern has long, sword-shaped fronds that arch gracefully, forming dense clumps. Its vibrant green leaves are divided into many small, serrated leaflets, creating a feathery texture. The underside of older fronds often features tiny, round brown spore cases.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPolypodiopsidaOrderPolypodialesFamilyNephrolepidaceaeGenusNephrolepis
sword ferns
ornamental trait badgeshade_tolerant trait badgeevergreen trait badgerapid_growing trait badge
sword ferns

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Baby fern fronds, called fiddleheads, are coiled up tight like a violin scroll!

Ferns are older than dinosaurs, having existed for over 360 million years!

Look under a frond for tiny brown dots – those are sori, packed with millions of microscopic spores!

Many sword ferns are excellent natural air purifiers for your home!

Special abilities

Ability

Spore Power

Sword ferns reproduce with spores, not seeds, letting them spread widely with wind or water to grow new plants.

Ability

Evergreen Shield

Sword ferns keep their green fronds year-round, which helps them collect sunlight even in winter.

Ability

Clumping Colonizer

Sword ferns can form dense clumps, helping them outcompete other plants for space and resources.

Measurements & details

Height
30-100 cm
Spread
30-100 cm
Edible
No
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial

Ecological connections

eats

citrus mealybug

Planococcus citri

Feeds on sap from fronds.

eats

two-spotted spider mite

Tetranychus urticae

Sucks sap from leaves, causing damage.

eats

black scale

Saissetia oleae

Attaches to fronds and stems to feed.

Traits

Also known as

Polystichum munitumSword Fern

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always be gentle with plants and don't pull them out of the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is sword ferns?

30-100 cm

How wide does sword ferns spread?

30-100 cm

Is sword ferns edible?

No

Is sword ferns toxic?

None

What is sword ferns's lifecycle?

Perennial

Where is sword ferns usually found?

Forests

Snap Map

Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.

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Recent Snaps

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Where to spot

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