Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas Fern)

Similar in looks to the familiar Boston Fern, this dark green, evergreen, native fern can tolerate rocky soil common to our forests. It thrives in shade, but will tolerate some sun if it stays moist. Its 2' fronds are sometimes used in Christmas decorations. As Nancy Mickey notes in 'What's Native' "settlers moving from the east coast to Kansas to Texas would keep seeing this remarkable fern in the woods and along shady pathways. Evergreen in winter, it was sometimes the only plant that was still green. From their Native American friends, they learned to use this plant for medicine and food. Settlers from New England carried their holiday traditions to their new homes, using the foliage of the Christmas fern in holiday decorations."Â