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Christmas Dagger
Polystichum acrostichoides · Dryopteridaceae
How it looks
The Christmas dagger (fern) is an evergreen fern with glossy, deep-green feather-shaped fronds that arch gently as they grow. The fronds are divided once, and the leaflets resemble little socks. Height 12–28 in (30–70 cm), growing on the forest floor.
Christmas Dagger is a fern with no known toxicity to cats according to the ASPCA. A nibble or two is unlikely to cause any real trouble.
Guide for parents
Most ferns are a safe plant group for cats. Their trailing fronds can look like toys and invite batting, but a nibble or two won't lead to serious trouble. If you'd rather not have the fronds constantly roughed up, use a high shelf or a hanging planter out of reach. If it lives in the bathroom, chemicals like cleaners, air fresheners, and hairspray can be more dangerous to your cat than the plant — check the ventilation there as well. The key to care is keeping the soil from drying out completely, and it grows best in bright indirect light rather than direct sun.
Details
- Scientific name
- Polystichum acrostichoides
- Common name
- Christmas Dagger
- Family
- Dryopteridaceae
- Source
- ASPCA
Related plants
Same plant family· Dryopteridaceae
Other safe flowers
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