fern - any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores

genus Polystichum, Polystichum - small to medium-sized terrestrial ferns especially holly ferns; in some classification systems placed in Polypodiaceae

Braun's holly fern, Polystichum braunii, prickly shield fern - North American fern whose more or less evergreen leathery fronds are covered with pale brown chafflike scales

northern holly fern, Polystichum lonchitis - evergreen European fern widely cultivated

Polystichum scopulinum, western holly fern - North American fern

fern - any of numerous flowerless and seedless vascular plants having true roots from a rhizome and fronds that uncurl upward; reproduce by spores