Fishtail swordfern
Nephrolepis falcata (Cav.) C.Chr.
Nephrolepis falcata (Cav.) C.Chr., commonly known as Fishtail swordfern, is a member of the Nephrolepidaceae family. It is native to regions including SC, Hawaii, the conterminous 48 United States, and the Philippines. This fern is found in lowland to high elevation habitats (300–2500 m), in forests and disturbed areas, and can be either epiphytic or terrestrial. The species was first described in 1937.
Description
Nephrolepis falcata has runners 1–1.5 mm thick with sparse, appressed scales. It lacks tubers and has fronds 65–200 cm long and 7–10 cm wide, with stipes 10–34 cm long. The lamina base tapers over 20–35 cm, with middle pinnae distinctly falcate. Sterile pinnae are 4–8 by 1–1.4 cm, herbaceous, with unequal bases and crenate to serrate margins. Fertile pinnae are similar but smaller. The rachis is covered in dense, dark, squarrose scales with a well-developed acumen. Sori are submarginal and round, with reniform indusia. This species resembles N. falciformis but is distinguished by its dark rachis scales, persistent lamina scales, and lack of costal hairs. Juvenile N. davallioides may appear similar to sterile fronds of N. falcata.
Other common names
Fishtail swordfern
Distribution
SC · Hawaii · conterminous 48 United States · Philippines
Synonyms
Tectaria falcataNephrolepis barbataNephrolepis falcata f. furcansNephrolepis biserrata var. furcansAspidium biserratum var. furcansNephrolepis davallioides var. furcans