Polystichum sp.
Sword fern, Sword Fern
Family: Dryopteridaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Polystichum sp. (Sword fern) is a native California perennial in the Dryopteridaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Nephrolepis: Polystichum has bristle-tipped teeth and grows in wild habitats; Boston fern has smooth-edged leaflets and escapes from cultivation.; vs Dryopteris: Polystichum fronds feel prickly with bristle-tipped teeth; Dryopteris fronds feel smooth without bristles.; vs Polypodium: Polystichum has shield-shaped spore covers and bristly edges; polypody has naked round spore dots and smooth margins.; vs Struthiopteris: Polystichum has one frond type with bristly teeth; ostrich fern has separate narrow fertile fronds and smooth sterile ones.; vs Athyrium: Polystichum feels prickly and has shield-shaped spore covers; lady ferns feel soft with curved, elongated spore clusters.
Frequently asked questions
Is Polystichum sp. native to California?
Yes. Polystichum sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Polystichum sp. belong to?
Polystichum sp. is in the Dryopteridaceae family, genus Polystichum.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Polystichum californicum — California sword fern
- Polystichum dudleyi — Dudley's sword fern
- Polystichum imbricans — Cliff sword fern
- Polystichum imbricans subsp. curtum
- Polystichum imbricans subsp. imbricans
- Polystichum kruckebergii — Kruckeberg's sword fern
- Cyrtomium falcatum — Hollyfern
- Cyrtomium sp. — Holly fern
- Dryopteridaceae sp. — Wood fern family
- Dryopteris arguta — California wood fern
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.