Downy Ground Fern
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(Hypolepis punctata)
Downy Ground Fern (Hypolepis punctata)
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Jacy Chen
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Jacy Chen
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Jacy Chen | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Jacy Chen | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2022-06-18T13:29:43-07:00 |
Summary
Hypolepis punctata, also known as the Downy Ground Fern, is a perennial herbaceous fern native to moist, shaded forest floors and stream banks in China and East Asia. It typically grows to a height of 40-60 cm (16-24 inches) and spreads by means of creeping rhizomes. The fronds are bright green, triangular in shape, and have a soft, downy texture, with distinctive, rounded sori on the underside that are important for spore dispersal. This fern does not produce flowers or seeds but reproduces via spores that appear in summer and autumn.
The Downy Ground Fern is valued for its lush foliage and ability to thrive in shady, moist conditions, making it a suitable choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and as a ground cover in areas with similar conditions to its native habitat. It prefers consistently moist, well-draining soil and can tolerate a range of light conditions from part shade to full shade. While it is not known for major diseases or pests, it can spread outside its native range due to its creeping rhizomes and should be monitored to prevent unwanted spread.CC BY-SA 4.0
The Downy Ground Fern is valued for its lush foliage and ability to thrive in shady, moist conditions, making it a suitable choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and as a ground cover in areas with similar conditions to its native habitat. It prefers consistently moist, well-draining soil and can tolerate a range of light conditions from part shade to full shade. While it is not known for major diseases or pests, it can spread outside its native range due to its creeping rhizomes and should be monitored to prevent unwanted spread.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Fern
- Height: 1.5-3 feet
- Width: 1.5-3 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Non-Flowering
- Leaf Retention: Semi-deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Part Shade, Full Shade
- Drainage: Medium
Common Uses
Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Moist, shaded forest floors and stream banks in China and East Asia
Other Names
Common Names: Spotted Ground Fern, Māhoe, 점고사리, Australian Brake Fern
Scientific Names: Hypolepis punctata, Dryopteris punctata, Hypolepis yunnanensis, Nephrodium punctatum, Phegopteris punctata, Polypodium punctatum
GBIF Accepted Name: Hypolepis punctata