Nephrolepis cordifolia

erect swordfern

Habitat

Moist sites. Hammocks, disturbed shady areas. Invasive.

Introduced

Wetland Status

NWI :

FDEP: FAC

Degree of invasiveness

FLEPPC: I

Rhyzomatous fern usually with "tubers" on rhizomes. Bi-colored scales (can be hard to see) along top of rachis. Fronds linear in outline, pinnately compound. Pinnae toothed, bases overlap the rachis, often blunt tipped and tips do not turn upward. Has reniform indusia (flap of tissue over the sorus) with a broad sinus (indentation). Similar species: N. exaltata has somewhat sickle-shaped pinnae with pointed tips that turn upward, single colored scales, no tubers.