© BMRM Ecological Surveys, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
Overview
Schizaea spp. is a genus of small ferns in the family Schizaeaceae, with about 30 species in tropical, subtropical, and some temperate regions. Known as comb ferns, plants grow from short creeping or tufted rhizomes and reach 2-12 inches (5-30 cm) tall. The sterile fronds are narrow and grass-like or fan-shaped, 0.04-0.1 inch (1-3 mm) wide, often curled or twisted. Fertile fronds end in a comb-like or finger-like cluster of spore-bearing segments held above the foliage. Spores are released from these segments in place of flowers and seed. Plants grow in wet heath, bogs, and damp sandy soils that are acidic and low in nutrients. The grass-like fronds are readily overlooked among surrounding vegetation. Growth is slow, and the ferns are difficult to establish away from their specific boggy habitat.
Native Range
Distributed across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, with species in the Americas, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific, and a few in cool temperate zones. S. pusilla, the curly-grass fern, grows in acidic bogs and wet pine barrens of eastern North America. Plants occupy wet heath, bog margins, and damp sandy ground.Suggested Uses
Schizaea spp. is found in its native bog and wet-heath habitat and is seldom grown in gardens. Where attempted, plants are kept in acidic bog gardens or peat beds that stay constantly wet. They are unsuited to general borders and containers without specialized conditions.How to Identify
Growing Conditions
Sun Requirements
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs