sword fern

noun

1. any fern of the genus Nephrolepis, especially N. exaltata, characterized by sword-shaped, pinnate fronds, a common houseplant.

sword fern

noun

1. any of numerous ferns having sword-shaped fronds

Word History and Origins

Origin of sword fern¹

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Late spring runoff through midsummer leads to rushing waterfalls, wildflower meadows, sword ferns and emerald mosses within the Olympic Peninsula’s lush lowland woods and pristine old-growth forests.

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“Go across the sword fern meadow and head through the pines. You’ll get there way ahead of everyone else!”

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They planted 80,000 plants — like red elderberry, western sword fern and Douglas fir — in the surrounding landscape to make the crossings more natural and attractive to wildlife.

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Soon after planting, his mother called, delighted, saying, “I saw all these birds landing on my osoberry, and other birds were down in the sword ferns.”

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On her back sits a basket woven from cedar boughs and bark, sword fern fronds, cattail and grapevines, which is adorned with dried squash and pine cones.

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