Western Wetland Flora
Field Office Guide to Plant Species
Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth
- 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.
Previous Species -- Northern Maiden-hair Fern (Adiantum pedatum )
Return to Species List -- Group 1
Next Species -- Triangle Moonwort (Botrychium lanceolatum)
