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Western Swordfern (Polystichum Munitum), As A Form Of Fern Plant

Large And Showy
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The large and showy, glossy-green fronds identify this fern.

Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) external link   •  Self-Guided Trail post #3   •  Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve   •  East Bay Regional Parks District   •  Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, California   •  (Date Photographed: 13:36:06 Saturday 12 June 2010)   •  (Date Published: Thursday 11 November 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #133606_6167BCX
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Long Lived Leaf
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Individual fronds live for one and one-half to two and one-half years and remain attached after later withering.

Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) external link   •  Self-Guided Trail post #3   •  Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve   •  East Bay Regional Parks District   •  Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, California   •  (Date Photographed: 13:36:16 Saturday 12 June 2010)   •  (Date Published: Thursday 11 November 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #133616_6168BCX
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Favored Habitat
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The under-story of moist coniferous forests at low elevations is the favored habitat for this Polystichum munitum.

Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) external link   •  Self-Guided Trail post #3   •  Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve   •  East Bay Regional Parks District   •  Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, California   •  (Date Photographed: 13:36:16 Saturday 12 June 2010)   •  (Date Published: Thursday 11 November 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #133636_6169BCX
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Frond Design
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The frond is composed of single pinnates (leaflets), with the pinnate alternating along the stalk. Each pinnate is 1/2 to 6 inches (1 to 15 cm) long, with a small upward-pointing lobe at the base. The edges are serrated with bristly tips.

Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) external link   •  Self-Guided Trail post #3   •  Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve   •  East Bay Regional Parks District   •  Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, California   •  (Date Photographed: 14:07:06 Saturday 12 June 2010)   •  (Date Published: Thursday 11 November 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #140706_6205BCX
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Old Fronds
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New fronds emerge from the top center and spread to shade the lower, older fronds. Eventually the lower fronds die and wither but remain attached to the plant.

Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) external link   •  Self-Guided Trail post #3   •  Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve   •  East Bay Regional Parks District   •  Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, California   •  (Date Photographed: 14:07:36 Saturday 12 June 2010)   •  (Date Published: Thursday 11 November 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #140736_6207BCX
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Color Description
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The Polystichum munitum is described as a bright green shiny plant with rust colored base. The rust underside comes from the dead fronds that have withered on the base.

Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) external link   •  Self-Guided Trail post #3   •  Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve   •  East Bay Regional Parks District   •  Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, California   •  (Date Photographed: 14:07:50 Saturday 12 June 2010)   •  (Date Published: Thursday 11 November 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #140750_6209BCX
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Line The Path
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Polystichum munitum is a favored plant in western North American gardens. But has been found to be very difficult to grow in the eastern part of the continent.

Western Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) external link   •  Self-Guided Trail post #3   •  Huckleberry Botanic Regional Preserve   •  East Bay Regional Parks District   •  Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, California   •  (Date Photographed: 14:08:34 Saturday 12 June 2010)   •  (Date Published: Thursday 11 November 2010)   •  © 2010 Bryan Costales Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License #140834_6210BCX
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