Thelypteris acuminata Cristata

Description

Thelypteris acuminata is the basketball of the fern world…not for its shape, but for being bounced around from seven different fern genera before most recently landing in the genus Thelypteris. Sounds like it’s helped quite a few fern taxonomists stay employed and reach their publication quota. Thelypteris acuminata is an amazing groundcover fern, whose natural range includes Southern Japan, China, Taiwan, and Korea. The virtually unknown petticoat form, Thelypteris acuminata ‘Cristata’ is the fastest spreading crested fern we know of, forming a 20″ tall x 6′ wide patch in a single season, when growing in well-prepared soil. The dark green, corrugated, 2′ long fronds are incredibly beautiful, even without the amazing petticoat pinnae, but it is not a fern to plant near other more defenseless garden gems. Thanks to Georgia plantsman Ozzie Johnson for sharing, so we could make this available.