holly fern

/ˌhɑli fərn/

Definitions of holly fern

1. noun

   any of various ferns of the genus Polystichum having fronds with texture and gloss like holly
   types:

   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

   Polystichum lonchitis, northern holly fern

   evergreen European fern widely cultivated

   Polystichum scopulinum, western holly fern

   North American fern

   type of:

   fern

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

   tropical Old World fern having glossy fronds suggestive of holly; sometimes placed in genus Polystichum
   synonyms: Cyrtomium aculeatum, Polystichum aculeatum

   type of:

   fern

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