Wood ferns are various species in the genus Dryopteris. Marginal Wood Fern, Crested Wood Fern, Clinton’s Wood Fern, and Goldie’s Wood Fern are some common wood fern species. The genus Dryopteris includes a diverse group of wood ferns (over 1,600 species worldwide). In this post, I provided a list of 7 wood fern species which are more common in gardening.
Here, I will tell you about their appearance and habitat which help you pick the best for your garden. you can also use their key features for wood fern identification.
Exploring Wood Fern Species: Discover Their Diversity and Beauty
Marginal Wood Fern (Dryopteris marginalis)
This fern is native to eastern North America and can grow up to 3 feet tall. It has triangular fronds with coarsely toothed margins and a scaly stipe.
Marginal Wood Fern Species Appearance
Fronds:
- Upright and vase-shaped, reaching 1.5-2 feet tall and wide.
- Evergreen, meaning they retain their fronds throughout winter.
- Dark green to bluish-green, with a leathery texture.
- Twice-compound, meaning the fronds are divided into pinnae (branches) and pinnules (smaller leaflets) on those branches.
- Pinnules have a lance-shaped outline with pointed tips.
- Edges are lobed or serrated, with shallow rounded lobes.
- Sori (clusters of spores for reproduction) are round and located near the margins of the pinnules, hence the name “marginal.”
- The stipe (stalk) is grooved, yellowish-green with a reddish base, and covered in brown to yellowish scales, especially near the base.
Rootstock:
- Compact and clump-forming, with dense, shallow, and branching fibrous roots.
Overall appearance:
- Creates a classic “fern vase” shape, with old fronds withering around the base and new ones emerging in late winter as tightly curled fiddleheads covered in light-brown scales.
![Marginal Wood Fern Species](https://houseplantidentifier.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Slide3-1.jpg)
Marginal Wood Fern Species Habitat
- Origin: Eastern North America, from southern Canada south to the northern United States.
- Habitat: Moist woodlands, especially on slopes and bluffs. Prefers rich, humusy soil with good drainage. Can tolerate some sun exposure but prefers shade.
Crested Wood Fern (Dryopteris cristata)
This fern is also native to eastern North America and grows in moist woodlands. It has upright fronds with crested pinnae (leaflets) and a smooth stipe. I will tell you more details about its appearance and habitat in the following.
Crested Wood Fern Species Appearance
- Fronds:
- Grow in a dense, vase-shaped clump.
- Semi-evergreen, meaning they may lose some fronds in harsh winters.
- Green and glossy in color.
- Once-compound, meaning the fronds are divided directly into pinnules, without further branching into pinnae.
- Pinnules are finely divided and have a crested appearance, meaning they are ruffled or wavy at the edges.
- Sori are round and located on the undersides of the pinnules.
- Stipe is scaly and hairy.
Rootstock:
- Compact and clump-forming.
Overall appearance:
- Dense and lush, with a distinctive crested texture on the fronds.
Crested Wood Fern Habitat
- Origin: Europe and western Asia, scattered across North America.
- Habitat: Moist woodlands, often on slopes and near streams. Prefers acidic, well-drained soils in shady locations.
Clinton’s Wood Fern (Dryopteris clintoniana)
This fern is found in the northeastern United States and Canada. It has triangular fronds with smooth margins and a scaly stipe. Keep reading to give you more information about it.
Clinton’s Wood Fern Species Appearance
Fronds:
- Grow in a loose clump.
- Deciduous, meaning they lose their fronds in the fall.
- Light to medium green in colour.
- Twice-compound.
- Pinnules are bluntly toothed at the edges and have a matte finish.
- Fertile fronds have narrower leaflets that are held more upright compared to sterile fronds.
- Sori are round and located on the undersides of the pinnules.
- Stipe is green and scaly.
Rootstock:
- Compact and clump-forming.
Overall appearance:
- Loose and airy, with subtle differences between fertile and sterile fronds.
Clinton’s Wood Fern Species Habitat
- Origin: North America, a hybrid between Crested Wood Fern (Dryopteris cristata) and Goldie’s Wood Fern (Dryopteris goldiana). It has a more northern range than its parent species.
- Habitat: Similar to its parent species, found in moist woodlands, swampy woods, and along stream banks. Prefers acidic, well-drained soils in shady or partially shady locations.
Goldie’s Wood Fern (Dryopteris goldiana)
This fern is native to eastern North America and grows in moist woodlands. It has triangular fronds with finely toothed margins and a scaly stipe. Below you can find more details about its appearance and habitat.
Goldie’s Wood Fern Species Appearance
Fronds:
- Upright and vase-shaped, reaching up to 2 feet tall.
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- Green and glossy in color with a waxy sheen.
- Twice-compound.
- Pinnules are bluntly lobed and have a rounded appearance.
- Sori are round and located on the undersides of the pinnules near the midvein.
- Stipe is scaly and hairy.
Rootstock:
- Compact and clump-forming.
Overall appearance:
- Shiny and elegant, with rounded lobes on the pinnules.
Goldie’s Wood Fern Species Habitat
Origin: Eastern North America, from southern Canada south to the eastern United States.
Habitat: Moist woodlands, often on slopes and near streams. Prefers acidic, well-drained soils in shady locations.
Intermediate Wood Fern (Dryopteris intermedia)
![Intermediate Wood Fern species is Dryopteris intermedia](https://houseplantidentifier.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Slide2-1.jpg)
This fern is found in eastern North America and can grow up to 2 feet tall. It has triangular fronds with smooth margins and a scaly stipe. To find out more about it keep reading.
Intermediate Wood Fern Appearance
Fronds:
- Grow in a loose clump.
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- Light to medium green in color.
- Twice-compound.
- Pinnules are bluntly toothed at the edges.
- Sori are round and located on the undersides of the pinnules.
- Stipe is scaly and hairy.
Rootstock:
- Compact and clump-forming.
Overall appearance:
- Similar to Clinton’s Wood Fern, but key distinction lies in the size of the innermost pinnule on the bottom side of the bottom pinna. In Intermediate Wood Fern, this pinnule is shorter or equal in length to adjacent pinnules.
Intermediate Wood Fern Habitat
- Origin: Eastern North America, from southern Canada south to the northeastern United States.
- Habitat: Similar to Clinton’s Wood Fern and Goldie’s Wood Fern, found in moist woodlands, swampy woods, and along streambanks. Prefers acidic, well-drained soils in shady or partially shady locations.
Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)
This fern is native to Europe and Asia, but it has been introduced to North America. It has triangular fronds with spiny margins and a scaly stipe. Following information will help you to identify this wood fern species easily.
Spinulose Wood Fern Species Apearance
Fronds:
- Grow in a clump.
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- Light to medium green in color.
- Twice-compound.
- Pinnules are finely toothed at the edges, with a spiny or prickly feel.
- Sori are round and located on the undersides of the pinnules.
Spinulose Wood Fern Habitat
- Origin: Europe, western Asia, and North Africa. Introduced to North America.
- Habitat: Prefers moist woodlands, often on slopes and disturbed areas. Tolerates a wider range of soil conditions than some other Dryopteris species, including drier soils and some sun exposure.
Japanese Wood Fern (Dryopteris arguta)
Other common name: Coastal Wood Fern
This fern is native to eastern Asia, but it has been cultivated in North America. It has triangular fronds with finely toothed margins and a hairy stipe. In the following, you will find details about its appearance and habitat.
Japanese Wood Fern Species Appearance
Fronds:
- Upright growth habit, reaching up to 4 feet tall.
- Can be semi-evergreen in mild climates, losing some fronds in harsh winters.
- Green and glossy in color.
- Twice-compound, with pinnae (branches) further divided into pinnules (leaflets).
- Pinnules are finely toothed at the edges, giving them a lacy or ruffled appearance. Some may have bristled at the tips, adding a touch of texture.
- Sori (reproductive structures) are round and clustered on the undersides of the pinnules, often appearing close to the margins.
- Stipe (stalk) is typically shorter than the blade of the frond and may be scaly.
Variability:
- This species can exhibit some variation in appearance.
- The leaflets (pinnules) may angle slightly away from the main stalk, creating a ruffled or lacy effect.
- Some varieties may have a more pronounced “V” shape formed by the main veins in the pinnules.
Japanese Wood Fern Habitat
- Origin: Eastern Asia, specifically China, Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. Not native to North America.
- Habitat: Found in moist woodlands, forests, and ravines. Prefers well-drained, acidic soils in shady or partially shady locations.
Conclusion
Now you have a list of the seven wood fern species with a guideline to identify them based on their appearance. I also told you about their habitat, it is important to choose ones that can grow well in your garden, although most of them have similar requirements for growing.
- Marginal Wood Fern (Dryopteris marginalis)
- Crested Wood Fern (Dryopteris cristata)
- Clinton’s Wood Fern (Dryopteris clintoniana)
- Goldie’s Wood Fern (Dryopteris goldiana)
- Intermediate Wood Fern (Dryopteris intermedia)
- Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)
- Japanese Wood Fern (Dryopteris arguta)
Do you think which ones are more proper for your landscape? Do you want to grow them outdoors or indoors? Please tell me about your ideas and experiences below this page.
If you are interested in identifying ferns, I recommend reading my other post:
Elaheh Rabiei
Hi, I’m Elaheh. My Academic major is plant protection, and houseplants are my expertise. As a houseplant lover, my house is full of indoor plants and it is my passion to take care of them. Hence, I’m here to share my knowledge and experience about growing healthy houseplants. I am also a plant protection advisor, so feel free to ask me any questions you may have.
inhouseplant2017@gmail.com