The distinctive features of this species are its satin-chartreuse ovate-oblong pinnae with fairly smooth margins and very slight auricles on the upper edge next to the rachis. C. fortunei itself has twelve to twenty-six pairs of pinnae, with the fronds exhibiting an extremely upright stance and a waxy, lime-green sheen that fades to bright forest green as the fronds mature.  Intermediate forms of the species, such as C. fortunei var. intermedium and C. fortunei var. clivicola., typically have half the number of pinnae of the straight species C. fortunei, but make up for the reduced number of leaflets by producing larger, more lance shaped pinnae and arching out their fronds out horizontally. As with other Japanese Holly ferns, it prefers to have some calcium available in the soil and may turn very yellow in acidic conditions, which is easily remedied with an application of crushed egg shells, concrete or limestone rubble or a very light amount of agricultural lime.

Frond Condition:  Evergreen
Mature Height:  1-2'
Origin: Asia
Cultural Requirements:  Partly Shaded, Full Shade, Evenly Moist. LIME
USDA Zones:  6, 7, 8, 9