Nephrolepis cordifolia
Genus
Nephrolepis
Species
cordifolia
Hawaiian Names with Diacritics
- Kupukupu
Hawaiian Names
- Kupukupu
Common Names
- Fishbone fern
- Narrow swordfern
- Sword fern
Synonyms
- Aspidium tuberosum
- Nephrolepis tuberosa
- Polypodium cordifolium
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Non-Woody, Spreading
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Fern/Fern-like, Medium, 1 to 3
Mature Size, Width
Kupukupu is known to have a 1- to 4-foot spread.
Life Span
Long lived (Greater than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Accent
- Container
- Erosion Control
- Ground Cover
- Indoor
- Specimen Plant
Additional Landscape Use Information
Kupukupu produce subterranean round tubers on stolons and are easy to propagate. Companion plants are ʻōhiʻa, koa and wiliwili. An excellent groundcover in sun and shade. The dense fronds control weeds. They can also grow up trees, tree ferns and rock walls.
They do well as containers plants in part to full sun with regular watering. [4]
Be sure to get plants from reputable sources as some kupukupu sold in local garden shops are not from Hawaiʻi.
Source of Fragrance
- No Fragrance
Plant Produces Flowers
No
Plant texture
- Coarse
Additional Plant Texture Information
Fronds range from 12 to 28 inches long and about 2 to 3 inches wide. Fronds are pinna or feather-shaped and slightly toothed.
Leaf Colors
- Light Green
- Medium Green
Additional Pest & Disease Information
In general kupukupu is pest and disease free, but may be infested occasionally with ants, mealy bugs, scale and slugs.
Fertilizer
Kupukupu appreciate a 13-13-13 slow release fertilizer with minor elements every six months for plants in pots or planted in the ground. For larger potted ferns showing poor color or not producing crosiers (fiddleheads or emerging fronds) use a complete fertilizer at half the recommended strength. Do not till solid fertilizers into soil since ferns have a shallow root system. [1]
Pruning Information
Can be mildly aggressive and grow into other beds, but easy to control. Dead leaves can be removed for a better appearance every couple of years.
Water Requirements
- Moist
Additional Water Information
Kupukupu grows in dry, moist and wet conditions. Under cultivation, grow in moist conditions for best overall appearance. Never allow them to sit in water as the fronds will yellow, defoliate and often die. [Rick Barboza, Hui Kū Maoli Ola]
Soil must be well drained
Yes
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
- Shade
Additional Lighting Information
Kupukupu does equally well in full sun or shade, but differs slightly in form and color depending on growing location.
Spacing Information
These ferns should be space at about 18 inches apart and staggered. If planted too close the plants out compete each other and eventually die back in a short time. [Rick Barboza, Hui Kū Maoli Ola]
This is the only Nephrolepis species in Hawaiʻi to produce underground tubers with can be removed with a small piece of stolon and be potted or transplanted.
Tolerances
- Drought
- Wind
Soils
- Clay
- Sand
- Cinder
- Organic
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- 1000 to 1999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 1000 to 1999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 2000 to 2999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 2000 to 2999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 3000 to 3999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 3000 to 3999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
- 4000 to 4999, 50 to 100 (Mesic)
- 4000 to 4999, Greater than 100 (Wet)
Additional Habitat Information
Kupukupu is locally common as a terrestrial or an epiphyte in mesic to wet forests from about 1,445 to 5,000 feet.
Special Features and Information
General Information
Kupupukupu (Nephrolepis spp.) are members of Lomariopsidaceae. [3] There are several common naturalized swordferns and will hybridize with the native species.
Etymology
The generic name Nephrolepis is derived from the Greek nephros, kidney, and lepis, scale, in reference to the kidney-shaped indusia (sori covering).
The specific epithet cordifolia is from the Latin cordis, heart, and folium, leaf. Daniel Palmer comments: "If interpreted as "heart-shaped leaf," a puzzling reference to the pinna shape of this fern." [6]
Background Information
This is the only Nephrolepis species, or swordfern, in Hawaiʻi that produce underground tubers on the stolons.
Early Hawaiian Use
The fronds were fashioned as into lei for the wrists and ankles called kūpeʻe or as haku for the head. [5]
Modern Use
Kupukupu is used today in lei as it was with early Hawaiians. [5]
There are three non-native recognized cultivars for this species: cv. 'Duffii', cv. 'Petticoats', and cv. 'Tessellata'. [2]
Additional References
[1] Kay Lynch, Lāʻau Hawaiʻi
[2] http://www2.bishopmuseum.org/HBS/botany/cultivatedplants/?pge=3&str=nephrolepis&fld= [Accessed on 10/1/08]
[3] Taxon 55 August 2006: Fern Classification, by Alan R. Smith et al., page 14.
[4] "Container Gardening in Hawaii" by Janice Crowl, page 53.
[5] "Nā Lei Makamae--The Treasured Lei" by Marie A. McDonald & Paul R. Weissich, pages 59-60.
[6] "Hawaiʻi's Ferns and Fern Allies" by Daniel Palmer, page 189.
PHOTOS FOR THIS SPECIES CAN BE SEEN AT THE LINK (Copy & Paste to your browser):
https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=50823119%40N08&sort=date-taken-desc&view_all=1&text=Nephrolepis%20cordifolia
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