Northern Holly Fern
(Polystichum lonchitis)

Other scientific names: Aspidium lonchitis, Polystichum X marginale, Polypodium lonchitis, Dryopteris lonchitis
French names: Polystic faux-lonchitis
Family: Polypody Family (Polypodiaceae)
Similar species:
  •   Braun's Holly Fern (Polystichum braunii) - twice divided: looks more "frilly".
  •   Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) - very similar, but less of an upright look to it.
  •   Ebony Spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron) - much smaller, darker stem.
  •   Polypody (Polypodium virginianum) - different leaflets, much smaller.
Fronds: Once divided
Height: up to 2 feet
Native/Non-native: Native
Status: Uncommon in the south, a lot more common in the north.
  

Ferns       Holly Ferns

The whole plant. It closely resembles Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides).

Another one.

Leaflets along the stalk.

Closeup view of the leaflets. Note the sharp points (like holly).

Underside of the leaflets, showing the indusia. The indusia are evenly spaced in two rows.

I don't mean to confuse you but ... this is part of a young frond. The leaflets look sort of like Green Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes-ramosum) (except they're a lot bigger).

Herbarium specimen showing the whole plant.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium, Burlington, Ontario)

Herbarium specimen showing roots.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium, Burlington, Ontario)

Herbarium specimen showing pattern of sori.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium, Burlington, Ontario)

Herbarium specimen showing pinnae.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium, Burlington, Ontario)

Herbarium specimen showing frond tip.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium, Burlington, Ontario)
  

Ferns       Holly Ferns

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