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Lowland Bladder Fern

Cystopteris protrusa

Found in rich woods or on moss- and soil-covered talus in boulderfields, loess bluffs, occasionally on ledges of rock outcrops. Weakley, Flora of the Southeastern United States (2025), Florida edition What its natural habitat tells you

8
Modest

Native to Florida. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Height
6 inches–1.5 feet
Spread
6 inches–1.5 feet
Light
Dappled sunlight, Deep shade, Partial shade
Soil moisture
Dry to wet

Space about 1 ft apart from its recorded spread, about 100 per 100 sq ft. Enter your bed size for a count

Will it fit your yard?

Rare or protected plant. Specialist conservation planting; excluded from routine garden suggestions. Plant caution source

Hidden from default planting suggestions. Wildlife value and native status remain unchanged.

At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial
Leaves
Deciduous
Bloom
April to June

Recorded in 1 Florida county.

Natural habitats

Places it grows wild. Not a planting requirement. Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there.

1 of 2

Cliffs, ledges and rocky summits

Trees and rocks on Little Kennesaw Mountain.
Named place / source context. Shown: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Georgia, a neighboring state.Trees and rocks on Little Kennesaw Mountain., Unidentified in HFC record, undated. Public domain. Source record.

Moist forests

Forests on moist but not wet ground, such as rich slopes and ravines.

All habitats

Also found with this plant

Wildlife whose habitat models include habitats this plant grows in, in Florida. Shared habitat, not food. 91 animals.

All wildlife of Florida

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

0CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including FL
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Cystopteridaceae
Hardiness
Zones 2b–9a
Soil pH
Neutral
Flower color
Not applicable
Growing sources and scope
Also known as

Southern Bladder Fern

Conservation status

Florida rankS1
Global rankG5
FL statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

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How to check your spot

Sources