Western Sword Fern

Scientific Name: 

Polystichum muitum

Physical Appearance: 

  • Grows at large abundance

  • Medium sized 

  • Many fronds that are leathery to the touch 

  • Vertical rhizomes 

  • Leathery fronds

When Does It Grow: 

  • Perennial 

Preferred Environment: 

  • Humid coastal climates generally

  • Mild winters, cool summers

  • Shaded moist regions 

  • Understory  

Method of Reproduction: 

  • Produce spores on the back side of fronds for protection of the spores because it already has a hard time reproducing 

  • WARNING FANCY LINGO: 

    • A spore is unicellular and for reproduction they are dispersed and germinated through mitotic division (different than seeds)

    • AKA…

      • Have you ever watched a movie that has dinosaurs in it? Well, most of the time the vegetation consists of several ferns! This is because ferns have been around longer than several other plants and what makes them super special is their reproduction methods. Spores are similar to seeds but further back of the evolutionary track… by evolve something that is still working? 

  • Spores are spread through wind dispersal 

Medicinal Uses: 

  • Treat skin sores 

  • Chewing on leaves can be used to cure sore throats 

  • Cooking and consumption of rhizomes help with diarrhea 

Role in Ecosystem: 

  • These plants are munching material for elk, deer, mountain beaver, black bears, and mountain goats

  • Provide habitats for multiple birds

Random:

  • Fonds are said to resemble swords given it its name 

  • Produce a chemical within that repels the majority of their predators, but there are moth larvae that is tolerant

  • One of the most abundant plants in Redwood Forests because of climate and sun protection 

  • This plant is easily affected by fire (you are probably thinking duh, but hear me out) some plants are easily able to restart sprouting after forest fires while the majority of WSF records report that these ferns are reproducing after critical fires