Lepisorus bicolor
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- leh-PIS-or-us BY-koh-lor
- Description
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Ribbon Fern is a slow-growing fern that spreads by rhizomes and will form a clump in 2-3 years of about 2-3 feet. It grows 12-16 inches high and has a distinguishing polka-a-dot spore pattern that extends from leaf tip down to the center of the leaf back.
It prefers moist rich soil in part shade to shade. Use and a ground cover, in a container, or as a house plant.
VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Lepisorus
- Species:
- bicolor
- Family:
- Polypodiaceae
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Himalaya to China
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Houseplant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Margin:
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 15 inch long and 2 inch wide glossy upright green leaves with a wavy margin.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer