Synonyms:

• Basionym: Polypodium exaltatum L.

Common names:

• Boston fern  (Source: Zander ed16) - English
• Boston sword fern  (Source: Zander ed16) - English
• sword fern  (Source: F NAmer) - English
• swaardvaring  (Source: Weeds SAfr 2001) - Afrikaans
• spjutbräken  (Source: Kulturvaxtdatabas) - Swedish

Economic Importance:

• Environmental: ornamental (fide Eur Gard F; Zander ed14)
• Weed: ()

Distributional Range:

Native

Northern America

• SOUTHEASTERN U.S.A.: United States [Florida]
• Mexico

Southern America

• CARIBBEAN: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Puerto Rico
• NORTHERN SOUTH AMERICA: French Guiana
• BRAZIL: Brazil


Cultivated (widely cult.)

Other (exact native range obscure, probably natzd. in paleotropics)

References:

1. Aldén, B., S. Ryman, & M. Hjertson Svensk Kulturväxtdatabas, SKUD (Swedish Cultivated and Utility Plants Database; online resource on www.skud.info). 2012 (Kulturvaxtdatabas)
2. Davidse, G. et al., eds. Flora mesoamericana. (F Mesoamer)
3. Encke, F. et al. Zander: Handwörterbuch der Pflanzennamen, 14. Auflage. 1993 (Zander ed14)
4. Erhardt, W. et al. Zander: Handwörterbuch der Pflanzennamen, 16. Auflage. 2000 (Zander ed16)
5. FNA Editorial Committee Flora of North America. (F NAmer)
6. Henderson, L. Alien weeds and invasive plants: a complete guide to declared weeds and invaders in South Africa. Plant Protection Research Institute, Handbook 12. 2001 (Weeds SAfr 2001)
7. Hoshizaki, B. J. & R. C. Moran Fern grower's manual. Revised and expanded edition. 2001 (Fern Grow Man)
8. Howard, R. Flora of the lesser Antilles. (F LAnt)
9. Instituto de Botánica Darwinion Flora del Conosur. Catálogo de las plantas vasculares. (F ConoSur)
10. Mickel, J. T. & A. R. Smith The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88:1-1054. 2004 (Ferns Mexico)
11. Turrill, W. B. et al., eds. Flora of tropical East Africa. (F TE Afr)
12. Walters, S. M. et al., eds. European garden flora. (Eur Gard F)

Cite as: USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System. 2018. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN-Taxonomy).
National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?25202. Accessed 25 April 2018.