Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) C. Presl
sword fern (western swordfern)
Dryopteridaceae (Wood Fern family)

Introduction to Vascular Plants

Photograph

© Adolf Ceska     (Photo ID #20799)


Map

E-Flora BC Static Map

Distribution of Polystichum munitum
Click here to view the full interactive map and legend

Species Information

General:
Evergreen perennial arising from a short, stout rhizome.
Leaves:
Lanceolate, 20-150 cm long, 5-25 cm wide, 1-pinnate; pinnae oblong, all of them more or less in one plane, with spreading teeth.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Illustration

If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.

Ecology

Ecological Framework for Polystichum munitum

The table below shows the species-specific information calculated from
original data (BEC database) provided by the BC Ministry of Forests and Range.
(Updated August, 2013)

Site Information
Value / Class

Avg

Min

Max

Elevation (metres)
229 0 2050
Slope Gradient (%)
24 0 220

Aspect (degrees)
[0 - N; 90 - E; 180 - S; 270 - W]

236 0 360
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
[0 - very xeric; 4 - mesic;
8 - hydric]
4 0 8
Modal Nutrient Regime
Class
D
# of field plots
 species was recorded in:
2644
Modal BEC Zone Class
CWH

All BEC Zones (# of stations/zone) species was recorded in

CDF(315), CWH(2153), ESSF(4), ICH(12), IDF(24), MH(18), MS(5)

Habitat and Range

Moist to mesic forests in the lowland and montane zones; common in coastal BC, rare in SC and SE BC south of 54degreeN, rare northward; N to AK and S to SD, MT, ID and CA.

SourceThe Illustrated Flora of British Columbia

Synonyms

Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Polystichum munitum var. incisoserratum (D.C. Eaton) Underw.