Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is a very common evergreen fern found throughout Ohio. It prefers cooler, moister soils, but is not as picky about its location as other ferns. True to its common name, this fern is still green at Christmas time providing some much needed color against the rich browns of the leaf covered forest floor. In addition, each leaflet has a pointed tip near the stem. With a little imagination, one can picture the shape of Santa’s sleigh!
