Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Silvery Spleenwort

Deparia acrostichoides
Plant Type: Ferns
Native Environment: Forest
Season of Interest:
Main Color: Green
Fall Color: Yellow

USDA PLANTS Range Map

At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Silvery spleenwort fern
Photo: Courtesy of MDC
Sun Exposure 
Shade
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate
Nature Attracting
Wildlife Benefit
Animal
Resistance
Size

Height:

12 to
18
inches

Spread:

2 to
3
feet
Size
Height: 12 to
18
inches
Spread: 2 to
3
feet
Size
Height: 12 to
18
inches
Spread: 2 to
3
feet
Typical Landscape Use
Great texture for the shade garden, and it stays relatively short.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Naturally occurs in rich moist woods, so shade or part shade and good soil should make this fern easy to grow. Can survive well in full sun if given constant moisture. Forms a clump with short, creeping rhizomes.
Special Features
Special Usage
Basic Description

This fern gets its name from the numerous fruiting bodies that form on the underside of its fronds giving it a silvery appearance. They are arranged like a sergeant’s stripes. The young fronds are yellow green and turn a pleasant straw color in fall. Similar in habit to the Lady Fern, but has hairs on the leaf blade and a more definite midrib. Clump forming habit.

Where Should I Start?

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Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?

Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.

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