No it will be another kind. If there are spore cases on the bottoms of the fronds at this time try showing those also.

Bracken fern?

Bracken branches and is much coarser. This fern appears to arise from a single rosette at ground level.

It does cone up from a single rosette.

Thelypteris kunthii? Southern shield fern I do declare. ?

Spelling is "duclayuh".

LOL Embothrium!

Jay - I'm not sure re. that one was one I waa loookg at but I don't see the first set of leaves (but I know they aren't called leaves) pointing back towards the base of the plant and the description of haohazard growth.. BUT the sori look right - which was what made me look at it - and the little fern is very young. Maybe that develops as it ages?

? I have no idea. I'm not familiar with this fern. I was just guessing based on internet photos. It could be another species?

That would be awesome because I have an area that slopes sharply and is shaded. i prefer this gen to the sword fern that grows everywhere here. I would happily let this go nuts in the area and if it is a Southern Shield fern - it's a native! If it isn't/weren't I wouldn't plant it Where I couldn't control it.

DJ I wa looking at it because of the spore/sori patterns but was having trouble with the description of the unruly growth. The spore pattern definateky looks right. I don't know how common that pattern is though?

It's pretty common, but with the other characteristics, it's pretty easy to make an ID. It's a lovely fern. It would do great on your shady slope. I hate the sword fern too. It's so ugly.

I'm having trouble envisaging a universe where any fern could be described as 'ugly'. I looked up sword ferns and I couldn't find a single one I wouldn't call beautiful.

Ditto floral!

There are areas around here that are virtual 'forests' of our native western sword fern. And they are stunning!! Always lush and green, even in the midst of our summer long droughts. And a hugely adaptable plant, as it will grow equally as well in a moist, forested area as it does in full sun and under much drier conditions.

I don't think it's ugly, I just prefer the softer look of this fern, which I don't see everywhere. My original plan was to use the sword fern which I have tons of.