223. Sword Fern

Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) is the largest native fern at Leaning Oaks.  Big and showy it forms an important part of our garden landscape as well as occurring in the wild parts of the property.  Sword fern is evergreen with the older fronds dying off after the new fronds have begun to emerge.  Sword Fern was used by First Nations as a food item in times of scarcity.  The rhizomes were peeled and roasted. I don't know if it is still used as a food item  and I must admit when I look at the rhizomes they don't look particularly appealing. 
In the garden they respond very well to light fertilizing several times over the growing season and the plants there grow to imposing sizes.  On years when we don't get heavy snowfalls they sail through the winter, on snowy winters the big funnel shaped plants get flattened.
There are ten species of Polystichum in British Columbia, two at Leaning Oaks, the other is the Polystichum imbricans (species #25).