Dryopteris cristata
Inhabitant of undisturbed wetlands with overwintering sterile fronds
Dryopteris cristata crested fern
A web of veins on the bluish-green pinnae gives this fern a firm-textured, leathery appearance. The pinnae are parallel to the ground and form a staircase on the stem. Smaller sterile fronds overwinter.
Habitat & Range
Swamps, edges of wetlands, shade or sun; in subacidic soils
Range is from Newfoundland to Manitoba, south to Kentucky and Arkasas and into northern Idaho.
| EMP: | FACW |
|---|---|
| NCNE: | OBL |
Characteristics
Fertile fronds taller, erect, narrow and do not overwinter. Pinnae are widely spaced and oriented horizontally.
Sterile fronds shorter, spreading, slightly broader than fertile fronds, and are evergreen.
Pinnae fertile pinnae parallel to the ground. Lowest pair of pinnae broadly triangular on both sterile and fertile fronds. Lower pinnae are widely spaced. Cut into 6 or so pairs of blunt-tipped lobes, some almost to costa.
Rachis green, stout, slightly scaly on lower parts.
Stipe about 10 in long with scattered, light brown scales.
Rhizome dark brown, creeping, with many brown scales.
Sori prominent, on upper pinnae between midvein and margin. Indusium not glandular.
Special Characters
Blunt triangular basal pinnae, narrow erect fertile fronds. Sterile fronds overwinter.
Pinnae lobe tips (or near) may have serrated margins with bristle-tipped teeth and are an indication of a Crested fern hybrid.
Plant Codes
S-rank: No rank
G-rank: G5 (Secure)
Dryopteris cristata crested fern
