Flora of Pennsylvania

Dryopteris

Dryopteris wood fern

Medium to large woodland ferns with fertile and sterile fronds of similar shape. Oftentimes are evergreen.

The shape of the basal pinnae on the blade and the relative length of that pinna's inner pinnules are used to identify dryopteris species.

Dryopteris carthusiana (spinulose wood fern)
Dryopteris carthusiana (spinulose wood fern) Plant is native to PA

Deeply cut pinnae give a lacy effect to this firm- …

Dryopteris clintoniana (clinton's wood fern)
Dryopteris clintoniana (clinton's wood fern) Plant is native to PA

Dryopteris cristata (crested fern)
Dryopteris cristata (crested fern) Plant is native to PA

A web of veins on the bluish-green pinnae gives …

Dryopteris intermedia (intermediate fern)
Dryopteris intermedia (intermediate fern) Plant is native to PA

The delicate green fronds of this common …

Dryopteris marginalis (marginal fern)
Dryopteris marginalis (marginal fern) Plant is native to PA

Overwintering, leathery, woodland  fern growing …

Dryopteris wood fern

Dryopteris gallery
Common Names
wood fern