Blechnum

Lovely little evergreen fern with tall, fertile. lancet fronds which arise in the clump during summer coupled with tough, leathery, evergreen fronds with a wide, horizontal inclination. Can grow in sun, but prefers shade and will grow in deep shade, young shoots and roots were used by Native Americans as an emergency food source, leaves act as a thirst suppressant. Will grow in sandy to clay soils, but prefers rich, acid, humus soil. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. A good ground cover plant which is slower growing but succeeds in the dense shade of trees. Durable, low maintenance and drought tolerant. Can be grown as a houseplant.