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Western Wetland Flora

Field Office Guide to Plant Species

Subarctic Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth

JPG -- Species Photo JPG -- Distribution Map

Family: Fern (Polypodiaceae)
Spores: June-September
Field Marks: This fern is recognized by its much divided, membranaceous leaves and its elongated fruiting bodies (sori).
Habitat: Rich woods, thickets, bogs, along streams.
Habit: Large, spreading fern with short rhizomes.
Stems: All underground as rhizomes.
Leaves: Divided as much as three times, up to 2 1/2 feet long, membranaceous, usually without hairs, each segment toothed or evenly shallow lobed; leaf stalks with brown scales up to 1/4 inch long.
Sori: Elongated, about 1/10 inch long, scattered on the lower surface of the leaf segments.
Notes: The common name used for this fern in this book is not particularly appropriate.

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