Thelypteris kunthii
southern shield fern, kunth's maiden fern, wood fern, river fern, southern shield fern, normal shield fern
Family
Thelypteridaceae
Leaf Attachment
petiolate
Leaf Margin
pinnatifid
Leaf Type
compound, dissected, pinnate
Leaf Shape
oblong, elliptic, lanceolate, ovate
Growth Form
fern
Flower Month
May - August
Height (meters)
0.6 - 1.8
Milky Sap
No
Armed/Unarmed
Unarmed
Origin
native
Lifespan
perennial
Growing Season
Warm season
Leaf Retention
Deciduous
Wetland Class
FACW
Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism
3
Field Characters
Similar to T. palustris, the southern marsh fern. Thelypteris palustris has forked veins and a non-hairy indusia (covering of sori), while Thelypteris kunthii has simple veins and a hairy indusia. T. kunthii also has a green stalk with scales at the base.
Cultural Information
Best propagated by division, but spores can also be used (Steffen 1997).
Natural History
.
Habitat
Most common in forests but is also found on the edge of sandy creeks, in swamps, pine savannas, low woods, wet bluffs and ledges, and prairies.