Sword Fern, also called Western Sword Fern, is often found in areas that are moist and shady. A member of the Dryopteridaceae Family, it grows by Kiosk 07, 15 and other kiosks on its own volition. It is easily identified by under-petal spores (sori) occupying 2 rows on
either side of the mid-rib of the under-leaf. It will grow in open areas but prefers shade in moist coniferous woods. Two other species of the genus Polystichum are found in the Gardens: Anderson’s and the California Sword Fern, all looking much like the Western … with inconsequential differences. Large specimens of the Western Sword Fern are found by the Gardens’ big leaf maple carved American black bear stump; PLC’s sponsored WWU SAM Project’s extinction probability is slight, though a moderate “die-off” appears to be occurring in city parks in the Northwest. Western Sword Ferns are also found in the Rocky Mountains Floristic Region. They seem to resist herbicides as they are often found in treated clear-cuts. A beautiful plant, it appears to be “evergreen” as new fronds appear just before the older die away.
https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/17353006
https://www.wnps.org/blog/reasons-to-love-sword-ferns
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystichum_munitum
http://naeb.brit.org/uses/search/?string=Polystichum+munitum
https://www.plc215.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Kiosk-07.pdf
https://gardenplants.comparespecies.com/en/swordfern-benefits/model-1219-7
The Sword Fern appears to be
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