| Author | (Gaudichaud-Beaupre) Ching | |
| Distribution | Only four specimens at SERNEC are of adventive or established plants; all others are cultivated (Chatham, Mecklenburg counties) or mis-annotated (Avery County). Polk County: edge of woods along county road 1151, C. Horn in 2015 (specimen at herbarium NBYC); Anson County: B. Dill in 2022 (at NCU); Wilson County: pine forest behind a home (NCU), M. Basinger in 2020; and Randolph County, McCormick and Peifer in 2024. In 2024 Merry Conlin noted this fern at Rock Rest Mafic Islands and Shore Natural Area in Chatham County.
Native to tropical Africa and Asia; in N.A. mostly Gulf Coastal Plain, north to NC and AR. Weakley also maps waifs in VA, KY, and IL. | |
| Abundance | Very rare. | |
| Habitat | Roadside edge of woods, and other disturbed ground; rich mesic forest. | |
| Phenology | | |
| Identification | False Maiden-fern fronds are 2-4 feet long, broadest towards the base. Blades are 2-pinnate and taper-tipped. Sori are brown, round, and medial. The 2-pinnate blades separate it from the genus Thelypteris. | |
| Taxonomic Comments | | |
| Other Common Name(s) | | |
| State Rank | SE | |
| Global Rank | G5 | |
| State Status | | |
| US Status | | |
| USACE-agcp | | |
| USACE-emp | | |
