Southern Sword Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
- Habit
- Herb-Terrestrial
- Found in India
- West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Goa & more
Plant Details
- Scientific name
- Nephrolepis exaltata
- Genus
- Nephrolepis
- Family
- Nephrolepidaceae
- Habit
- Herb-Terrestrial
- Distribution
- Tropics and Sub-Tropics
- Found in India
- West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, Rajasthan
- Conservation status
- Not Evaluated (NE)
Leaf characters
- Leaf arrangement
- AlternaterecordedOne leaf per node, arranged in a spiral or zigzag up the stem.“The fronds of Nephrolepis exaltata are 50–250 centimetres (20–98 in) long and 6–15 centimetres (2.4–5.9 in) broad, with alternate pinnae (the small "leaflets" on either side of the” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Leaf type
- Pinnately compoundrecordedLeaflets are arranged in rows along a central stalk, like a feather.“The pinnate vein pattern is also visible on these highly compound leaves.” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Leaf shape
- LanceolaterecordedLong and narrow, tapering to a point, like a lance head.“The leaflets are entire, undestroyed and oblong-lanceolate up to 4.8 inches (120 mm) long and up to 0.9 inches (23 mm) wide.” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Leaf margin
- EntirerecordedA smooth, unbroken edge with no teeth or notches.“The leaflets are entire, undestroyed and oblong-lanceolate up to 4.8 inches (120 mm) long and up to 0.9 inches (23 mm) wide.” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Leaf venation
- PinnaterecordedOne main central vein with side veins branching off it, like a feather.“The pinnate vein pattern is also visible on these highly compound leaves.” — Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Characters marked “recorded” are for Southern Sword Fern itself; the rest are typical of the Nephrolepidaceae family.
About Southern Sword Fern
A member of the Nephrolepidaceae family, Southern sword fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a ground herb. In India it has been recorded in West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Goa and 5 other states.
Uses
It is stripped for fibre used in rope and matting. Parts of this plant are reported as poisonous — treat it as unsafe to eat and wash your hands after handling.
Nephrolepidaceae
Macho Ferns Or Swordferns
Southern Sword Fern belongs to the Nephrolepidaceae family.
The illustration represents the family — not necessarily this exact species.
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