''Polystichum scopulinum'' is a species of
fern
A fern (Polypodiopsida or Polypodiophyta ) is a member of a group of vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem) that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers. The polypodiophytes include all living pteridophytes except t ...
known by the common names mountain hollyfern
and rock sword fern.
[ It is native to much of western North America, and it is known from disjunct occurrences in eastern Canada as well.][Flora of North America]
/ref> It grows in rocky habitat, often in full sun. It is widespread but mostly found in small populations, and is noted to be most abundant on serpentine soil
Serpentine soil is an uncommon soil type produced by weathered ultramafic rock such as peridotite and its metamorphic derivatives such as serpentinite. More precisely, serpentine soil contains minerals of the serpentine subgroup, especially anti ...
s.[ This fern produces several erect, narrowly lance-shaped leaves up to 50 centimeters in length. The leaves narrow near the bases. Each leaf is divided into many lance-shaped or oblong leaflets up to 3 centimeters long. The toothed leaflets are sometimes twisted on their axes and overlapping.
''P. scopulinum'' is probably a fertile allotetraploid with '' Polystichum munitum'' as one parent.][Moreroa, R.E., Deannaa, R., Barboza, G.E., Barrington, D.S. 2019. Historical biogeography of the fern genus Polystichum (Dryopteridaceae) in Austral South America. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 137 (2019) 168–189. doi 10.1016/j.ympev.2019.05.004]
References
External links
Jepson Manual TreatmentUSDA Plants ProfileWashington Burke MuseumPhoto gallery
scopulinum
{{Dryopteridaceae-stub