Nephrolepis biserrata Native to Florida
giant sword fern
Its current distribution includes Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands (Kartesz, 1999). Within Florida, it is occasionally found in the central and southern regions (Wunderlin, 1998).
Identification: The fronds of Nephrolepis biserrata reach 2.5 m tall. The petioles are sparse to moderate with reddish to light brown hair-like scales. The rachis has moderately spaced scales of one color. The pinnae reach 23 cm long, 2 cm wide, attached to 3.5 cm apart. The margins are finely double-toothed and densely pubescent below. The apices are long and pointed; the central vein has dense erect hairs, short matted hairs, or is rarely glabrous on the upper surface. The indusia are circular to horseshoe-shaped. Lastly, tubers are never present in this species (Langeland, 2001).
For more information about Nephrolepis, download this UF/IFAS-EDIS publication, Natural Areas Weeds: Distinguishing Native and Non-Native "Boston Ferns" and "Sword Ferns" (Nephrolepis spp.) by K.A. Langeland.