Wildwood® Brand Elements: Sword Fern

Can you spot Sword Fern on Wildwood products? Hint - look at the labels on our chocolate bars and caramels.

Ubiquitous in the Pacific Northwest and found in shaded low to mid-level forested elevations, the Sworn Fern is one of the most recognizable plants in our surrounding environs. Amidst the Douglas Fir understory you’ll find substantial populations of Sword Fern mingling closely with Trillium, the beloved three petaled flower we explored in our first Brand Elements blog.

Contrary to what you may believe, not all plants thrive most in sunlight. Sword Ferns grow larger in stippled shade.  Mature Sword Fern fronds may reach three to five feet long, while Sword Ferns found in sunnier locations will be smaller and more compact. In fact, in areas with high sun exposure Sword Ferns adapt their leaflets to overlap each other in an attempt to shield from excess sunlight.

Sword Fern’s evergreen fronds make it incredibly easy to identify. Each fern frond has one central stem (“once-pinnate”) with leaflets branching off both sides, capped by tiny pointed “teeth.” Though naturally abundant in the forested areas of the Pacific Northwest, many gardeners choose to showcase the Sword Fern and its many varieties in their home gardens simply for their primeval look! Trekking along the Wildwood Trail on a particularly sunny day conjures images of a Jurassic world, while socked in days are laden with the magic of fairies potentially lurking within the groupings of Sword Ferns.

Pair the whimsical effect of Sword Fern with the folklore of Douglas Fir cones’ origin story and it's no surprise why we are fascinated by the mysteries and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest’s forested world. Next time you are exploring Forest Park or Wildwood Trail, bask in the vastness of the Sword Fern! Explore. Enjoy. Share. Repeat.®

https://bloedelreserve.org/western-sword-fern/

https://nativeplantspnw.com/western-sword-fern-polystichum-munitum/