Sword fern

Sword ferns belong to two genera of ferns. One of the best known is the Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum), which grows to almost 4 feet in height.

Anatomy
The sword ferns can live very long periods of time and can grow up to four feet tall and seven to ten feet wide. But on average they are two to three feet tall and four to six feet wide. A mature plant will have as many as one hundred green fronds that grow from the rhizome. In early spring new fronds appear and they begin to unroll. Each frond may grow up to four feet long a will live for several years. The only way to tell the differences between a new and old fern is that the young fern will have a more crinkly appearance.

Reproduction
Sword ferns like other ferns reproduce through the production of spores during a unique lifecycle called the alternation of generations. The spores are formed on the bottom layer of the fronds, and are yellowish in color. When the spores are mature they are released into the air where they have the ability to float in the wind for miles.

Ecology
The sword fern is native to western part of North America. Most populations of sword ferns are found along the pacific coast. They are also found in Alaska, California, British Columbia, Idaho, South Dakota, and Guadalupe Island. There ideal habitat is at low elevations in moist dark forests. Sword ferns are very tough plant they can survive droughts.

Related References

 * Polystichum munitum Wikipedia
 * Sword Fern oak point nursery
 * Sword Fern woodslore
 * sword fern
 * Polystichum munitum USDA