Sword fern is a common name for several
fern
The ferns (Polypodiopsida or Polypodiophyta) are a group of vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem) that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers. They differ from mosses by being vascular, i.e., having specialized tissue ...
s and may refer to:
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Nephrolepis'', a tropical genus of ferns, especially:
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Nephrolepis exaltata'', commonly cultivated as a
houseplant
A houseplant, also known as a pot plant, potted plant, or indoor plant, is an ornamental plant cultivated indoors. for aesthetic or practical purposes. These plants are commonly found in House, homes, Office, offices, and various indoor spaces, w ...
, including the Boston fern
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Polystichum
''Polystichum'' is a genus of ferns in the family (biology), family Dryopteridaceae, subfamily Dryopteridoideae, according to the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016 (PPG I). The genus has about 500 species and has a cosmopolitan ...
'', a cosmopolitan genus of ferns, especially:
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Polystichum munitum'', native to western North America
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Giant swordfern
{{Plant common name