Cyrtomium falcatum (L.f.) C. Presl=Polypodium falcatum
Dryopteridaceae (Wood Fern Family)East AsiaHolly Fern |
April Photo
Plant Characteristics:
Stiff erect, perennial fern, with stout very shaggy stipes; fronds dark
heavy green, 1-2.5 ft. long, 4-8 in. broad, long-oblong in outline, pinnate,
glossy above; pinnae alternate, short-stalked, usually 3-4 in. long, ovate to
falcate-ovate, long-acuminate, the margin entire or obscurely wavy; sori
circular, large, abundantly scattered over the lower surface.
Habitat:
Generally moist cliffs, banks, crevices below 900 meters. North Sierra Nevada foothills; South Coast; Kern, Los
Angeles, Santa Barbara San Bernardino and Ventura Counties; south east U.S.
Cultivated as an ornament. (Hickman,
Ed. 91). Naturalized at La Jolla, San Diego, Big Dalton Canyon (San
Gabriel Mts.). (Munz, Flora So.
Calif. 18).
Name:
Greek, Cryto-mium, a bow.
(Bailey 87). Greek, arch,
from the pattern of netted veins. (Hickman,
Ed. 91). Falcatum,
sickle-shaped or scythe shaped. (Bailey
14). Referring to the leaf shape.
(my comment).
General:
Rare in the study area, found only once and this on the northerly-facing
bluff below Eastbluff North. Bailey
has this plant in Polypodiaceae, Munz
in Aspidiaceae. (my comments).
A segregate from Polystichum,
differing in the anastomosing veins; distinguished also from Dryopteris by this character and by the centrally attached indusium.
Species 4 or 5 from Asia, Africa and the Pacific Islands.
(Bailey 87).
About 20 species generally from east Asia.
(Hickman, Ed. 91).
Text Ref:
Bailey 87; Hickman, Ed. 91; Munz, Flora
So. Calif. 18.
Photo Ref:
April-May 95 # 8,10.
Identity: by R. De Ruff,
confirmed by John Johnson.
Computer Ref: Plant Data 487.
Have plant specimen.
Last edit 12/24/02.
April Photo