Designated as the Florida State Tree.  Trees on coastal islands in the Big Bend area are failing to reproduce due to sea level rise, and islands in the marshes are getting progressively smaller. Does not produce wood with annual rings like most trees. It lives as a shrub for ten years or more until its trunk has achieved enough girth before it starts adding height. Its trunk will not add girth once this happens and palms do not have the ability to heal wounds or gouges in the trunk--so be careful with your palms. Specimen plant or in a hurricane resistant grove.

The fan-shaped leaves are about 3 feet across and have silvery undersides. Listed as Endangered by the FDACS.  Please act responsibly and acquire only from properly licensed nurseries. Specimen tree, understory tree. It grows slowly.

This plant is easy to grow. Weak wood. Hedge plant, specimen plant, woodland plant. Plant where the silky brown/gold undersides of the foliage will be seen.

Bog gardens.

Very similar in appearance to several non-natives which are invasive pests, esp. N. cordifolia. If there are spherical tubers amongst the roots, it's N. cordifolia, the invasive tuberous swordfern.  In this vein, it appears that herbarium specimens from further north than indicated on our map have been reclassified as something other than N. exaltata.  We do not show those areas on our map. Groundcover especially in shady moist areas. Spreads by rhizomes.

New leaves are rusty-orange. Easy to care for. Can grow as a small tree or a shrub. Use where this small tree's interesting shape will be an asset. Does well as a small specimen tree near walkways. Also useful as a screen in dry settings.

Hedge plant. Screen plant.

Small tree with shiny foliage. New leaves are reddish. Columnar growth form. Suited to planting near structures and a good background plant for urban yards.

Groundcover. Foliage is low and neat even during periods when there are no flowers (flowers in mid-spring). Plant not visible in winter. Can be naturalized in sunny areas. Can be used as a border plant or in a damp meadow.

Would be nice to see this used more in restoration, but the hydrology and substrate need to be correct. Adapted to edge of marshes. Suited for use only where the hydrology matches its needs. Where present, protect by protection hydrology and water quality.

Wildflower garden. Could be naturalized in moist flatwoods that is kept low (burned).