Hand Fern

Ophioglossum palmatum

Native to:
Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Galápagos, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, Puerto Rico, Suriname, United States
Hand Fern

Erich J. Geske (www.wikidata.org)

📍 View on iNaturalist →

Taxonomy

Division:
Pteridophyta | - Ferns
Family:
Ophioglossaceae
Genus:
Ophioglossum
Species:
Ophioglossum palmatum
USDA Symbol:
CHPA14

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
30 cm
Light Requirements:
Part Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Low

Garden & Ecology Notes

Deer Resistant:
Yes

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
prefers humid, shaded environments

Propagation & Germination

Notes:
Fern reproduces via spores; spore germination requires moist, shaded conditions and is highly specialized.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI