Christmas Fern

Polystichum acrostichoides

The name of this fern derives from its evergreen habit, so that it is still green at Christmas time, although its fronds might be lying on the ground. Others think that the individual leaflets are shaped like Christmas stockings, since each one has a small, triangular lobe pointing upward at its base (the “toe” of the stocking). This fern is native throughout most of eastern North America, and has a leathery texture, with deep green leaves. It forms individual clumps rather than spreading out into a continuous mat.