PlantFiles: Stiff-haired Maiden Fern
Thelypteris hispidula 'Versicolor'

This native fern grows naturally on my property in Northcentral Florida, Zone 8b, wherever there are limestone rocks. I have several "fern sink holes" on this property, where the underlying limestone is at or near the soil surface, and these ferns will only grow there. They are quite attractive, gently arching, midsized to large ferns, that my books say spread slowly, but with our wet weather this year they have doubled their area this spring and summer. Will frost to the ground in winter and become unattractive, but readily green up with mild weather. Books warn will "turn a gastly shade of pale, greenish yellow if exposed to too much sunlight." Needs moist soils with high levels of calcium, such as limestone rubble along the base of buildings or along rocky canal banks. Resilient, easily grown and very refined looking. Best information is in "A Gardener's Guide to Florida's Native Plants," by Rufino Osorio, University Press of Florida, Gainesville.