Taxonomy

Division:

Pteridophyta | - Ferns

Family:

Polypodiaceae

Genus:

Polystichum

Species:

Polystichum chilense var. chilense

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

60 cm

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Minimum Light:

Part Shade

Best Light:

Part Shade

Habitat:

Temperate forest, Montane

Ecology:

Native to the temperate rain forests and montane woodlands of southern Chile and adjacent Argentina, where it forms an important component of the forest understory.

Soil Requirements

Soil:

humus-rich — also tolerates loam

pH:

acidic to neutral

Drainage:

moist