Cyrtomium falcatum (L. f.) K. Presl

Japanese Holly Fern; Japanese Net Vein Holly Fern

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Japanese Holly Fern is an introduced perennial evergreen herb in the Wood Fern family (Dryopteridaceae). Native to eastern Asia, it is often planted as an ornamental and has widely escaped from cultivation. Japanese Holly Fern can be found in mesic hardwood forests, in ravines, on brick and concrete walls, under bridges, along streams, and in urban woodlands. It is a perennial from a thick rhizome. The erect fronds (leaves) are oblong-lanceolate in outline, 1-3 feet in length, once pinnate, with 4-10 pairs of pinnae (leaflets). The petiole base has orange-brown scales. The pinnae are falcate (curved or sickle-shaped), thick and leathery in texture, and irregularly toothed. The upper side of the pinnae are dark, shiny green in color and the lower side is pale green. Japanese Holly Fern reproduces by forming spores. The spores are produced in sporangia grouped in round clusters called sori that are located on the lower side of the pinnae. The sori are covered by a peltate indusium that is brown in color, often with a black center. Japanese Holly Fern is widely available from nurseries. It is a popular ornamental, able to tolerate drier conditions than most ferns and able to grow in shady locations. Due to its tendency to escape and invade natural habitats it should be avoided. Consider native species of Dryopteris or Christmas fern as an alternative.—A. Diamond.

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Not Native

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