Southern Maiden Fern Thelypteris kunthii

Maiden ferns comprise the genus Thelypteris whose scientific name is derived from Greek words thēlys meaning female and pteris  for fern. One of this fern's common names is Kunth's maiden fern in honor of Carl Sigismund Kunth (1788 – 1850), an early systematic German botanist. It is also known as river fern or southern shield fern.

This easy to grow fern is showy with long arching, bright sea green fronds. It is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions including heat, high humidity, poor drainage, short periods of drought, deep shade to short exposures to direct sun and soil conditions ranging from high organic matter to loam or sand. It has both short and long creeping rhizomes allowing it to spread quickly and form colonies.

The fiddleheads of this fern are among the last to appear in the late spring. A defining feature of this fern is its transition from bright green to a bronze color before it dies back in the fall in cooler climates. In frost-free zones, it can be evergreen to semi-evergreen.

The southern shield fern makes an excellent native, woodland ground cover because it has both short and long creeping rhizomes that allow it to spread into colonies.  With a medium growth rate, it is well-behaved in its natural habitat. It is also excellent for soil stabilization on slopes particularly near sources of water.  It pairs nicely with other shade-loving plants such as hostas, heucheras, trillium and woodland phlox.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.

Quick ID Hints:

• Deciduous fronds turn a bronze color at the end of the season, in frost-free areas this fern can be evergreen to semi-evergreen.
• Sori: are kidney-shaped and organized in two rows adjacent to the midvein of each pinna.
• Pinnae have simple veins and hairy indusia.
• Very fine translucent hairs are present on both sides of the leaves.

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.