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Black Shield Fern

Polystichum richardii

Black Shield Fern
Photo: Rudolph89, CC BY-SA 3.0

Polystichum richardii, the common shield fern or pikopiko, is a fern native to New Zealand that grows in dry coastal and lowland forest sites. It is a hardy, undemanding fern best grown in shade or part shade with well-drained soil.

Family
Dryopteridaceae (Wood fern family)
Grows as
Fern
Light
Part shade, Shade
Water
Water moderately and let the top of the soil dry slightly between waterings; avoid waterlogging.
Soil
Well-drained, humus-rich soil or a peaty potting mix.
Temperature
10–25 °C; tolerates cool conditions and light frost.
How easy
Easy
Edible
Yes, some parts

About

Polystichum richardii, commonly known as the common shield fern, or pikopiko is a fern found in New Zealand.

The common shield fern is found in dry places from the coast to lowland forest areas. The size of the fronds can be up to 50 by 25 centimetres.

Other Polystichum plants

Christmas fern · Hard shield-fern · Western swordfern · Japanese Tassel Fern · Soft Shield Fern · Korean rockfern · Hollyfern

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Polystichum richardii by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.

The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.

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