Bristle fern Arachniodes

East Indian holly ferns are members of the polypody family (Polypodiaceae). Most of the species are native to the tropical and subtropical forests of China, Japan and Southeast Asia, but they are also found in Africa and Central and South America. One species is naturalized in North Carolina. The scientific name of this genus is derived from the Greek word for spider, but the reference is obscure.

They are fairly easy to grow in shaded areas with well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral, organic soils that retain moisture. Some species are hardy, while others are tender tropical ferns.

The fronds are monomorphic, pinnate to pinnatifid and primarily evergreen. Many are covered with a thick waxy coat that sometimes makes the plant look artificial. These ferns are cultivated for both ornamental and medicinal purposes. 

Bristle ferns are often seen as houseplants, landscaping accents in shaded gardens or understory groundcovers. The East India holy fern (Arachniodes simplicior ‘Variegata’) is frequently found in garden stores and makes a beautiful accent plant in a shade garden.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Pests include aphids, scale insects, and mealybugs.  Powdery mildew and root rot can develop if the soil is too wet.

Quick ID Hints:

• Fronds: tooth-like bristles appear at the end of the veins (characteristic shared with Polystichum)
• Pinnae: the proximal pinnae is the largest, basal basiscopic pinnule much larger, anadromous pinnation
• Rachis: continuous grooves from the rachis to the costa (characteristic shared with Dryopteris)
• Sori: kidney-shaped indusia (characteristic shared with Dryopteris)