← Back to Plant Finder

Christmas Fern
Polystichum acrostichoides

A state endangered species, Christmas Fern is rare in the wild but available in nursery stores. Its scaly stems set it apart from other Minnesota fern species.

USDA symbol: POAC4

General Information

Plant TypeFern
Height2 feet
Light ExposurePart Sun, Shade
Soil MoistureDry, Medium
Bloom ColorGreen
Christmas Fern (Christmas Fern<div><em class="small">Polystichum acrostichoides</em></div>)
Photo credit: United States Department of Agriculture (Click to enlarge)

Tolerances

Flooding / Inundation ToleranceModerate
General Resilience7
Salt ToleranceNone
Stress ToleranceDrought Tolerant

Pollinator Value: Low

Bloom MonthsMay to October

Project Planning

Project TypeErosion Control, Rain Garden
Coefficient of Conservatism5
Herbivore SensitivityLow
LifespanPerennial
Rate of SpreadSlow
Soil StabilizationShallow
Vegetative ReproductionClonal

Range

CountyHouston, Winona
EcoregionDriftless Area, North Central Hardwood Forests, Western Cornbelt Plains
Approximate Eco ProvinceEastern Broadleaf Forest, Prairie Parkland