Polystichum munitum

The dark green fronds of this fern grow tall, in a tight clump spreading out radially from a round base. They are single-pinnate, with the pinnae alternating on the stalk. Each pinna is long, with a small upward-pointing lobe (a sword hilt, hence the name) at the base, and the edges are serrated with bristly tips on the serrations. Beyond the upward-pointing lobe, the pinnae are broadly linear in shape, usually with a gradual taper and curved slightly toward the distal end of the frond. Individual fronds live for 1.5 to 2.5 years and remain attached to the rhizome after withering. When they emerge in spring, the fronds are doubled back on themselves and circinate (rolled up) only at the tip. The round sori occupy two rows on either side of the midrib of each pinna and are covered by a centrally-attached, umbrella-like indusium with fringed edges. They produce light yellow spores. In deep shade, fronds spread nearly horizontally but with increasing sun exposure grow more upright. In young plants the leaves are often paler green and have shorter pinnae. Image: Polystichum munitum JHT IMG 2235 cropped.jpg|Pinnae shape Image: Polystichum munitum iNat-110931146.1.jpg|Young frond Image: Polystichum munitum iNat-110931146.2.jpg|Plant with young fronds File:Polystichum munitum kz03.jpg|Sorus ==Habitat and cultivation==

The preferred habitat of this fern is the understory of moist coniferous woodlands at low elevations. It grows best in well-drained acidic soil of rich humus and small stones. It is very resilient and survives occasional droughts, but flourishes only with consistent moisture and it prefers cool weather. In cultivation, it also responds well to regular, light fertilization. While this fern is a favored horticultural subject in western North America, it has proved difficult or impossible to cultivate satisfactorily in the eastern part of the continent. In the United Kingdom Polystichum munitum has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.{{cite web | url = https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/13486/i-Polystichum-munitum-i/Details | title = RHS Plantfinder - Polystichum munitum File:Redwoods Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park 2.jpg|Plants growing in Redwood forest habitat in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park File:Quinault Small Waterfall.jpg|Sword fern habitat near Lake Quinault in Washington, United States File:Red alder and sword fern, Oregon Coast Range.JPG|Plants growing below red alder near Drift Creek in the Oregon Coast Range ==Phylogeny==

According to a molecular phylogeny of Polystichum ferns based on plastid DNA sequences, P. munitum is most closely related to other North American Polystichum species, including the western species Polystichum lemmonii, Polystichum scopulinum, and Polystichum dudleyi, and the eastern species Polystichum acrostichoides. ==Utility==

The Coast Salish people of B.C. and Washington state use this plant as a pain reliever. When applied directly to the area where pain and inflammation occur, according to Della Rice Sylvester, an elder and medicine woman of the Cowichan tribe, the sword fern "takes the pain away!". This traditional use has spread among the hiking communities and youth scouting organizations of the region, where it is a common piece of hiker's lore that a rash from a stinging nettle can be counteracted by rubbing the spores on the underside of sword fern on the area. In spring, when other food is unavailable, Quileute, Makah, Klallam, Squamish, Sechelt, Haida, and other Native American/First Nations peoples roasted, peeled, and ate the rhizomes. The fronds were used to line fire pits and food drying racks and as filling for mattresses. The plant is also cultivated for its ornamental foliage, which florists include in vases. The fronds were widely used in other cultures. It is used as 'famine food', place mats, dancing skirts, and flower arrangements. ==References==