Cyrtomium falcatum (Linnaeus) C. Presl

Asiatic holly fern

Etymology Falcatum is the word for sickle-shaped.
Description Rhizome: erect, massive, with several fronds at apex, scales ovate to oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, dark brown, paler near margin, papery, usually about 1.
Frond: 60 cm high by 25 cm wide, evergreen, monomorphic, blade/stipe ratio: 3:2.
Stipe: scales orange-brown, ovate, vascular bundles: 4 or more, in an arc.
Blade: 1-pinnate, oblong-lanceolate, leathery, glossy, bright green, glabrous above, wooly scales below early, then falling.
Pinnae: 4 to 12 pair, to 12 cm, sometimes eared at the base on the upward edge, pointed at the tip,apical pinna not larger; margins often undulate or coarsely and irregularly dentate; veins netted.
Sori: round, dispersed on the lower surface of pinnae throughout or sometimes confined to the upper pinnae, indusium: peltate, brown, sometimes blackish center, persistent, central, sporangia: brown.
Culture Habitat: sunny lowlands, often along sea coast. Distribution: Japan, Korea, China (eastern and southern parts), Vietnam, India. Hardy to -15°C, USDA Zone 7.
Synonyms
Polypodium falcatum Linnaeus
Aspidium falcatum (L.) Sw.
Polystichum falcatum (L.) Diels
Cyrtomium falcatum
Cyrtomium falcatum. Frond and fertile pinna.  Illustration by Edgar Paulton, from How to Know the Ferns and Fern Allies, John T. Mickel, © 1979 Wm. C. Brown Co.
Notes
Photos It is difficult to believe all of the photos are of the same species.
Cyrtomium falcatum
Cyrtomium falcatum. Sori with and without indusia. The click-through blow-up shows the main veins clearly, but the net venation is not clear even with a hand lens.  Scan: Tom Stuart
Cyrtomium falcatum
Cyrtomium falcatum. Pinna upper surface: sori show through.  Scan: Tom Stuart
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