Appalachian rockcap fern is a native evergreen mat-forming fern in the polypody family (Polypodiaceae). Its origin is in eastern Canada and the eastern USA. The species epithet is Latin and means “Appalachian.” This is a small fern that grows in deep shade. Soil should be moist but have good drainage and an acidic pH. Appalachian rockcap fern occurs in moist, rocky areas at high and low elevations. It has an epiphytic habit in the Smoky Mountains. Leaves emerge in a rosette from a creeping rhizome, and the plant can reach a height and width of 1 foot. The dense mats it forms help secure organic material, particularly on barren rocky surfaces. This plant looks very similar to Polypodium virginianum , but a key identifier of this plant is that its leaf blade is widest at the base. This plant is sensitive to heat. Use this fern in a native shade garden, along a rock slope, or in the understory of a woodland garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Watch for Florida Fern Caterpillar. VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington , Director of JC Raulston Arboretum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Lobed pinnafid fronds that are oblong to lanceolate with margins widest at the base reaching up to 15" long and 3 1/2" wide. Pinnae have entire to slightly dentate margins and rounded tips. Yellow maturing to brown sori are kidney or round shaped and found on all but the lowest pinnae.
Flower detail
No flowers.
Fruit detail
No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
Stem color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
Golden brown stems with whitish powdery bloom on the surface. Margins are toothed.