Polystichum munitum
A Pacific Northwest native evergreen fern with large arching fronds that thrives in cool, shaded, consistently moist, well-drained soils and spreads by rhizomes to form a low-maintenance groundcover
Common Names
Sword Fern, Western Sword Fern, Common Sword Fern, Pineland Sword Fern
Summary
Polystichum munitum, commonly known as Western Sword Fern, is an evergreen fern native to western North America that forms large, dense clumps from a crown of scaly rhizomes. It features long, arching dark green fronds with narrowly lance-shaped pinnae that are finely spine-toothed, giving a sword-like appearance, and fronds commonly reach about 2–4 feet tall and wide.
Growing in partial to full shade, it prefers moist, well-drained humus-rich soils and tolerates a range of soils from acidic to neutral; keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, with regular deep watering during dry periods. It propagates by spores or by rhizome division, and sometimes bulbils in autumn; commonly used in woodland gardens, borders, groundcovers, and underplanting of roses and shrubs, as well as for erosion control; generally pest- and disease-free, deer- and rabbit-resistant, making it a versatile, low-maintenance native landscape plant.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
2-4 feet
Spread
24-60 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3-8
Sunlight Requirements
Polystichum munitum prefers partial to full shade; tolerates partial sun, with some morning sun acceptable, but full sun is generally not ideal.
Soil Type
Humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil
Soil Drainage
Moist, well-drained soil
Soil pH
4.0-7.0
Slightly acidic to neutral
Bloom Color
Brown, Green
Bloom Time
Does not bloom in any season.
Foliage Color
Green
Fall Foliage Color
Dark green
Leaf Lifecycle
Other
Growth Rate
Moderate
Seasons of Interest
All four seasons
Propagation Methods
Division, Spores
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts butterflies and moths; provides nesting/cover for birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (Kaulf.) C.Presl
- Publication
- Tent. Pterid. 83. 1836 ; & NPfl. 189
Superior Taxa
- Kingdom
- Plantae
- Subkingdom
- Pteridobiotina
- Phylum
- Polypodiophyta
- Class
- Polypodiopsida
- Subclass
- Polypodiidae
- Order
- Polypodiales
- Family
- Dryopteridaceae
- Subfamily
- Dryopteridoideae
- Genus
- Polystichum
Synonyms
Polystichum plumula Polystichum munitum var. munitum Aspidium munitum Dryopteris munita Aetopteron munitum Aspidium munitum var. inciso-serratum Polystichum munitum subsp. munitum Polystichum munitum subsp. nudatum Aspidium munitum var. nudatum Nephrodium plumula Polystichum munitum subsp. solitarium Polystichum solitarium Polystichum munitum f. inciso-serratum Polystichum munitum f. nudatum Polystichum munitum var. incisoserratum Polystichum munitum subsp. inciso-serratum