A variety of the Broad Wood Fern with a lighter color and crisp foliage. In the proper site a vary adaptable, vigorous growing plant.
Pronunciation
(dry-OP-ter-iss)
Plant Type
All Plants, Ferns - Hardy
Hardiness Zone
(3)4-8
Sunlight
part shade, shade
Moisture
average, moist, avoid dry
Soil & Site
humus rich, moist
Flowers
Ferns do not produce flowers. They were around prior to the evolution of the flowering plants (angiosperms).
Fruit
spores
Leaves
frond: green, leathery, twice-pinnate
Stems
rhizome, broad, densely covered with light brown scales, slow to grow
Dimensions
1.5-2.5 foot long fronds, erect arching
Propagation
spores, division
Misc Facts
The name marginal comes form the fact that the sori are found near the margins of the pinnules. The genus name Dryopteris (Greek) means "oak-fern". The fern is found many times growing in Oak forests. For centuries an extract of this fern was used to control tapeworms. The chemicals filicin and filmarone found in the oil are toxic to the worm
Notes & Reference
#80-A Field Guide to Ferns (Boughton Cobb), #90-Ferns for American Gardens (John T Mickel)