Higher classification Cyrtomium | Division Pteridophyta Scientific name Cyrtomium falcatum Rank Species | |
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Similar Cyrtomium, Dryopteridaceae, Polystichum, Dryopteris erythrosora, Cyrtomium fortunei | ||
Cyrtomium falcatum is a species of fern known by the common names house holly-fern and Japanese holly fern. It is native to eastern Asia.
It grows from crevices, coastal cliffs, streambanks, rocky slopes, and other moist, stable areas.
Description
This fern is a perennial plant with a large light brown rhizome.
Cyrtomium falcatum has leaves exceeding 0.5 metres (1.6 ft) in length made up of six to ten pairs of shiny bright green leaflets. Each leathery leaflet has a flat to wavy to slightly toothed margin and a netlike pattern of veining. The underside of each leaflet has sori beneath brown or black indusia.
Cyrtomium falcatum is a popular ornamental plant in temperate climate gardens (zones 7 to 10), and as a house plant. It is hardier than most ferns; it thrives in light shade to deep shade with average fern soil. It is easily and quickly propagated by spores, not by division.
It has escaped from cultivation on other continents to become established in the wild as an introduced species. It can now be found in much of Europe, North America, the Atlantic Islands, Australia, New Zealand, and South America.
