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Monarch Fern Phymatosorus scolopendria

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Microsorum scolopendria
Phonetic Spelling
fy-ma-toh-SOR-us skol-oh-PEND-ree-uh
Description

A sculptural fern that is commonly used as a houseplant.  Slow growing and has adventitious hairy roots. Name comes from the brown spores on the backs of the leaves. Strongly rhizomatous and will spread indefinately in areas where it is a perenial.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#sculptural#houseplant#interiorscape#fern
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#sculptural#houseplant#interiorscape#fern
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Phymatosorus
    Species:
    scolopendria
    Family:
    Polypodiaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Root Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Tropical & Subtropical Old World
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Perennial
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
  • 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 Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Fronds
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Other/more complex
    Leaf Margin:
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Deeply sunken sori on the frond undersides result in wart-like bumps on the uppersides, hence the common name. Fronds droop gracefully from hanging baskets.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container