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Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) C.Presl

Western swordfern (en), Polystic à épées (fr)

Species

Pteridophytes > Polypodiales > Dryopteridaceae > Dryopteridoideae > Polystichum

Characteristics

Stems erect or ascending. Leaves arching, 5--18 dm; bulblets absent. Petiole 1/8--1/4 length of leaf, densely scaly; scales red-brown to dark brown or nearly black, gradually diminishing in size distally. Blade linear-lanceolate, 1-pinnate, base slightly narrowed. Pinnae narrowly lanceolate, straight to falcate, not overlapping, pinnae of shade-growing plants in 1 plane, those of sun-growing plants twisted or contorted, 1--15 cm; base ± cuneate, auricles well developed; margins serrulate-spiny with teeth ascending; apex acuminate with subapical teeth same size as apical tooth; microscales ovate-lanceolate to linear-lanceolate, with contorted projections, dense, on abaxial surface only. Indusia ciliate. Spores light yellow. 2 n = 82.
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A fern. It grows 60-120 cm high and 90-120 cm wide. It has a slow creeping rhizome. The fronds are sword shaped and leathery. They are 50-120 cm long. They are twice divided. There are up to 40 leaflets on each side. They are matt dark green and slightly hairy underneath. The leaflets are spiny toothed. They have orange spore bodies underneath.
Life form perennial
Growth form herb
Growth support -
Foliage retention evergreen
Sexuality -
Pollination -
Spread -
Mature width (meter) 1.0 - 1.25
Mature height (meter) 1.0 - 1.1
Root system rhizome
Rooting depth (meter) 0.4
Root diameter (meter) -
Flower color -
Blooming months -
Fruit color -
Fruiting months -
Nitrogen fixer -
Photosynthetic pathway c3

Environment

There are two distinct varieties, var. munitum grows in moist coniferous woods, var. imbricans grows in rock crevices and rocky soils in dry coniferous soils. Forms extensive colonies.
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A temperate plant. It is frost hardy. It grows in moist shaded woods. It suits hardiness zones 4-9. Mt Cootha Botanical Gardens.
Light 2-5
Soil humidity 4-8
Soil texture 3-6
Soil acidity 3-7
Soil nutriment -
Hardiness (USDA) 4-8

Usage

The roots/rhizomes are roasted and eaten. They are also steamed or boiled. The leaves are used as a flavouring.
Uses fiber medicinal spice
Edible rhizomes roots
Therapeutic use Gynecological Aid (leaf), Dermatological Aid (leaf), Burn Dressing (leaf), Dermatological Aid (root), Cancer Treatment (shoot), Dermatological Aid (unspecified), Gynecological Aid (unspecified), Throat Aid (unspecified), Hunting Medicine (unspecified), Boil (unspecified), Sore (unspecified)
Human toxicity -
Animal toxicity -

Cultivation

Can be grown by divisions.
Mode divisions
Germination duration (days) -
Germination temperacture (C°) -
Germination luminosity -
Germination treatment -
Minimum temperature (C°) -
Optimum temperature (C°) -
Size -
Vigor -
Productivity -

Images

Habit

Polystichum munitum habit picture by Benji Koi-Jean (cc-by-sa)
Polystichum munitum habit picture by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Polystichum munitum habit picture by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Polystichum munitum leaf picture by Jonathan Jonathan Bennett (cc-by-sa)
Polystichum munitum leaf picture by Emily Chow (cc-by-sa)
Polystichum munitum leaf picture by Dylan Gunning (cc-by-sa)

Distribution

Polystichum munitum world distribution map, present in Canada, Mexico, and United States of America

Identifiers

LSID urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:17207740-1
WFO ID wfo-0001109274
COL ID 4LN37
BDTFX ID 82930
INPN ID 611438
Wikipedia (EN) Link
Wikipedia (FR) Link

Synonyms

Polystichum plumula Aspidium munitum Dryopteris munita Aetopteron munitum Polystichum munitum f. nudatum Nephrodium plumula Polystichum solitarium Aspidium munitum var. inciso-serratum Polystichum munitum var. incisoserratum Polystichum munitum var. munitum Polystichum munitum subsp. munitum Polystichum munitum subsp. nudatum Aspidium munitum var. nudatum Polystichum munitum f. inciso-serratum Polystichum munitum subsp. inciso-serratum Polystichum munitum subsp. solitarium Polystichum munitum
WorldFloraDB 2024