General Information
Status in Florida: Native
Native Habitat: Wetlands, bottomlands, and rich woodlands, typically in shaded, moist environments
Native States: Southeastern United States, including Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and the Carolinas
Growing Zones: 6-9
Size at Maturity: 1-2 feet tall, 1-3 feet wide
Phenology: Evergreen to semi-evergreen, depending on location
Life Cycle: Perennial
Growth Rate: Moderate
Growth Habit: Clumping, upright
Bloom Season: Not typically grown for blooms, produces spore-bearing structures in summer to fall
Bloom Color: N/A (fern spores)
 
Growth Conditions
Sunlight Requirements: Part shade to full shade
Soil Texture: Moist, loamy, well-drained soils
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
Moisture Requirements: Moist to wet, prefers consistently moist conditions
Tolerance to Salt Spray: Low/None
Keystone Plant: No
 
Landscape Considerations
Recommended Landscape Uses: Shade gardens, woodland gardens, ground cover in moist areas, naturalized landscapes, rain gardens
Maintenance Tips: Keep consistently moist, but ensure good drainage; may require thinning every few years to maintain vigor
Considerations: Tolerates wet soil conditions but prefers rich, organic matter; can be slow to establish but is very resilient once established
Hurricane Wind Resistant: Moderate
Erosion Control: Yes (good for stabilizing soil in shaded, moist areas)
Nitrogen Fixing: No
 
Other Information
Edible: No
Pet Safe: Yes
Deer and Rabbit Resistance: Yes
Historical Medicinal Uses: No known medicinal uses
Florida Native Companion Plant: Virginia Bluebell (Mertensia virginica), Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum), Sweet Shrub (Calycanthus floridus), Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Wildlife Benefit: Provides cover for small wildlife, helps with soil stabilization, and attracts certain types of insects
Caterpillar Host Plant: No
Propagation: Spores, division