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Polystichum proliferum
Polystichum proliferum, commonly known as mother shield fern is an Australian endemic fern. The genus name Polystichum is derived from Greek poly - many, and stichos - rows referring to the many rows of sori. The species name is derived from Latin, Proli – offspring and fer - bearing referring to the proliferous buds, a prominent feature of the species.
Polystichum proliferum is widespread and abundant from sea-level to 1300m a.s.l., but predominantly occurs in the tablelands and ranges of New South Wales, Victoria, Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania. At elevation, Polystichum proliferum will occur in amongst boulders and at lower altitudes - in wet forests. The species typically favours gullies and creeks as well as the cooler/moister, southern and eastern facing aspects. Polystichum proliferum will however, occur in drier vegetation types such as coastal scrub and dry sclerophyll, due to its hardy characteristics such as the ability to tolerate salt-laden winds and poor soil quality. Polystichum proliferum is often associated with Dicksonia antarctica gullies, occurring higher up the gullies than Dicksonia antarctica and further away from the watercourse. The close association and similar appearance between the two species has often led to novice plant collectors misidentifying Polystichum proliferum as Dicksonia antarctica.
Christmas fern · Hard shield-fern · Aleutian holly fern · Harsh Shield Fern · Polystichum bonapartii · Braun's hollyfern · Polystichum bulbiferum · Monte Guilarte hollyfern · California swordfern · Madeira Shield-Fern · Dudley's swordfern · Polystichum fallax
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Polystichum proliferum by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts are shared under the same licence.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
