At a glance
Essentials
- Size
- Fronds 30 to 150 cm in length. The range may vary with age, sex and population.
- Distribution
- Temperate northern hemisphere: Europe, Asia, and North America. Less abundant in North America than in Europe.
- Habitat
- Shaded and humid forests, hedges, rocks, and rubble; at the northern limit prefers sunny and well-drained sites.
- Activity
- Sexual reproduction via hermaphroditic prothallus and anemochorous dispersal of spores; vegetative reproduction by rhizome branching.
- Diet
- Autotrophic plant; forms arbuscular mycorrhizae (VA-Mykorrhiza).
- Conservation
- Conservation: Secure (NatureServe).
Observation guide
What to look for
- 01
Thick, scaly, horizontally growing rhizome forming a single crown of fronds.
- 02
Bipinnate fronds of 30 to 150 cm, with 20-35 pinnae per side, petioles and rachis covered in brown or orange scales.
- 03
Reniform sori arranged in two rows on the abaxial surface, with a reniform indusium that persists and dries as the spore matures.
- 04
More robust appearance and less finely divided pinnae compared to Athyrium filix-femina.
Lighting, age and viewing angle can hide features. If identification affects consumption, handling or conservation, consult specialist sources.
Ecology
Description and characteristics
Dryopteris filix-mas is a perennial fern of the family Dryopteridaceae, native to much of Europe, Asia, and North America in the temperate northern hemisphere. It is characterized by a thick, scaly, horizontally growing rhizome that gives rise to a single crown of fronds per plant. The fronds, with an ascending and semi-persistent habit, reach lengths of 30 to 150 cm and exhibit a bipinnate division with 20 to 35 pinnae per side of the rachis. The petioles and rachis are covered with brown or orange scales. On the underside of mature blades, sori are arranged in two rows parallel to the midrib, protected by a reniform indusium. Spore release occurs between June and November, depending on the region, at which time the indusium dries to facilitate anemochorous dispersal of spores. This species is distinguished from Athyrium filix-femina by its more robust appearance and less finely divided pinnae. It reproduces vegetatively by rhizome branching and sexually via a hermaphroditic prothallus. It forms arbuscular mycorrhizae, and its rhizomes contain phenolic compounds and flavonoids, being toxic in high doses.