South Florida is
home to many different native ferns. Although, many of our
"natives" are
exotics that have become naturalized. However,
they are still considered in the overall
count of the pteridophyte species of
South Florida.
Many growers
cultivate at least one native species. There are terrestrial species such
as Adiantum tenerum which is extremely popular or one of the Tectaria species,
either Tectaria heracleifolium or T. incisa, which also appeals to fern growers.
While we boast of no official
tree fern, Ctenitis sloanei, actually a member of
the Dryopteris group, fits the bill nicely.
The Thelypteris
genus thrives in South Florida, as well as Blechnum species.
Nephrolepis
ferns have also made an important impact here in the tropics.. One
species, Nephrolepis exaltata even went on to be the star of the lot. This
is where all of those Boston Ferns come from. Yes, the Boston Fern is a
Florida native.
There are some
native species that are not as stellar as the Boston Ferns, these include
the
very handsome Meniscium species or the Acrostichum (or Leather Ferns).
There are also
some dramatic epiphytic ferns such as Campyloneurum phyllitidis or the rarely
seen Ophioglossum palmatum (syn Cheiroglossum palmatum and Ophioderma palmata),
which prefers cabbage palms on which to perch. Epiphytic ferns are not
parasitic and take
no nutrients from their host plants.
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