• Photo by: Jeannie Brodhead, Saracennia Chapter FNPS

Thelypteris kunthii

southern shield fern

Nomenclature

Common Name:

southern shield fern

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Thelypteris kunthii

Family:

Thelypteridaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

fern

Size:

1-3 (4) ft tall 

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

NA

Fruit Color:

NA

Phenology:

evergreen

Noted For:

Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Groundcover recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restoration.

Considerations:

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Availability:

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Propagation:

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Light:

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Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry

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Stays wet -to- Somewhat moist, no flooding

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Some tolerance to salty wind but not direct salt spray

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Organic

Soil pH:

Adaptable, often calcareous

Suitable to Grow In:

8B,9A,9B,10A,10B

Ecology

Wildlife:

Cover for many ground-dwelling species.

Native Habitats:

Hydric and mesic hammocks, shallow swamps and swamp edges, floodplains, limerock, concrete, ditches.

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

A boiled concoction was used to clean and heal open cuts.

General Comments: