Southern Sword Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
- Habit
- Herb-Terrestrial
- Found in India
- West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Goa & more
How to identify Southern Sword Fern
Identify Southern Sword Fern by combining habit, leaf characters, flower or fruit details, location, and its family pattern. Do not rely on one feature alone.
- Look for a herb-terrestrial habit.
- Check the distinctive field mark: Classic arching Boston-fern-type fronds.
- Confirm leaf arrangement: Alternate.
- Confirm leaf type: Pinnately compound.
- In India, compare location records such as West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka and nearby regions.
- Confirm it sits within the Nephrolepidaceae family pattern, then compare close relatives before deciding it is Southern Sword Fern.
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.
Explore the Nephrolepidaceae familySnap it. Know it.
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Common plant problems
If you are starting from symptoms instead of a diagnosis, use the plant disease symptom checker to narrow the cause before treating.
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