Northern Hollyfern
Polystichum lonchitis
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kriti, Krym, Kuril Is., Morocco, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, United States
Walter Siegmund (talk)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Pteridophyta | - Ferns
- Family:
- Polypodiaceae
- Genus:
- Polystichum
- Species:
- Polystichum lonchitis
- USDA Symbol:
- POLO4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers calcareous substrates in natural habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Notes:
- Spores require moist, shaded conditions and cold stratification; germination is slow and erratic.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI