Click on any image to open the slideshow
Telmatoblechnum serrulatum (Rich.)Perrie et al.
Toothed Midsorus Fern
Swamp Fern
Synonym(s): Blechnum serrulatum Rich.
Florida native
A common fern of swamps, marshes, wet prairies and hammocks mostly in peninsular Florida, also found in coastal areas of the central panhandle. The range includes southern Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America plus northern and eastern South America.
Mainly a terrestrial fern, toothed midsorus fern occasionally can be found in trees, such as in cabbage palm boots. Fronds can grow up to 2m (6-1/2 ft.) tall in the shade, typically much shorter and stiffer when growing in the sun. The blade is pinnate, 25-70cm (10 to 28 in.) long, 5-28cm (2 to 11 in.) wide and oblong or elliptic-lanceolate in overall shape. The alternate pinnae are narrowly lanceolate, sessile or nearly so, and widely spaced along the rachis. Pinnae are 3-15cm (1-3/16 to 6 in.) long nearly 2cm (~3/4 in.) wide with sharply toothed margins. The sori are borne in dense lines close to each side of the midvein of the pinnae.
Telmatoblechnum serrulatum is a member of the Blechnaceae - Chain Fern family.
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Apr 05, 2024
