HortFlora

Rhizomes with stolons but no tubers. Blade narrowly oblanceolate or rhomboidal in outline, to 1 m or so long, much divided in some cultivars. Segments mostly more than 4 cm long and with an 'ear' on the basal upper edge; midrib more or less central. Indusia kidney-shaped.

Needs shelter and warmth. Weedy in the Sydney region.

Polynesia, Tropical America, Africa.

Generally larger and less upright than the common N. cordifolia; it has fronds to 1 m or so long and 10 cm wide although there is great variation among the cultivars; segments mostly 'eared' at the base; indusia more or less round, at least those at the base of the segment facing the margin; cf. N. cordifolia.

Source: Spencer, R. (1995). Davalliaceae. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 1, Ferns, conifers & their allies. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.

Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis Aurea'

Golden Boston Fern Fronds gold. Origin unknown.

Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis Compacta'

Compact, margins of segments sometimes wavy. Origin unknown.

Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis'

Boston Fern Fronds wide, weeping. This cultivar is the source of most of the others. The original cultivar arose in stock sent from Philadelphia, USA, to a Boston nursery in the 1870's, soon becoming widespread in nurseries of the Boston area and being accepted elsewhere.

Nephrolepis exaltata 'Childsii'

Fronds wide, segments intricately divided. Origin unknown.

Nephrolepis exaltata 'Elegantissima'

Fronds divided twice. Origin unknown.

Nephrolepis exaltata 'Florida Ruffle'

Fronds divided 2-3 times, ruffled. Origin unknown.

Nephrolepis exaltata 'Fluffy Ruffles'

Compact, fronds divided 2-3 times, ruffled. Origin unknown.

Nephrolepis exaltata 'Hillii'

Segments variously cut and divided. Origin unknown.

Nephrolepis exaltata 'Rams Horn'

See n. falcata.