| Description | A sturdy upright fern for moist shady conditions. |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | (dry-OP-ter-iss) |
| Plant Type | All Plants, Ferns - Hardy |
| Hardiness Zone | 3-8 |
| Sunlight | part shade, shade |
| Moisture | average, moist, avoid dry |
| Soil & Site | humus rich, rocky, moist, Found in woods and rocky slopes. |
| Temperature | sensitive of heat |
| Flowers | Ferns do not produce flowers. They were around prior to the evolution of the flowering plants (angiosperms). |
| 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 , evergreen |
| Propagation | division, spores |
| 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. The species name felis-mas means male fern, probably because of its vigorous growth. 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 worms. Epithet means margined in reference to the marginal sori. |
| Notes & Reference | #80-A Field Guide to Ferns (Boughton Cobb), #90-Ferns for American Gardens (John T Mickel) |
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