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ladyfern

Scientific Name: Athyrium

Family: Dryopteridaceae

Category: Fern

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Athyrium filix-femina: The Lady Fern

Athyrium filix-femina, commonly known as the lady fern or common lady-fern, is a captivating and widely distributed fern species.

Considerations for Pets

  • The text mentions the plant has delicate and lacy foliage, which could be tempting for pets to chew on.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant's finely divided foliage might be easily pulled apart.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth
  • Common Names: Lady Fern, Common Ladyfern, Subarctic Ladyfern, Asplenium ladyfern, Southern Lady Fern, Tatting Fer
  • Family: Dryopteridaceae (Shield Fern family or Polypody Family)
  • Genus: Athyrium Roth
  • Synonyms: Aspidium angustum, Asplenium filix-femina, Athyrium angustum
  • Variety: Athyrium filix-femina (Linnaeus) Mertens variety angustum (Willdenow) G. Lawson

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native throughout most of the temperate Northern Hemisphere.
  • Prefers shady to part-sun gardens and natural wooded areas.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Deciduous fern with erect or creeping rhizomes.
  • Fronds are usually pinnate to tripinnate, often of thin texture.
  • Typically grows to around 0.5 meters in height but can reach up to 2 meters.
  • Fronds are lacy-cut, erect or ascending, 2 to 3-pinnate or pinnatifid, and finely divided.
  • New fronds unfurl pale green and darken as the season progresses.
  • Dark red stems are present at maturity.
  • Forms circular or asymmetrical clumps of lance-elliptic fronds.

Ecological Role

  • Considered a reliable, native plant.
  • Strong-growing and dependable, making it a great garden plant.

Quirky Facts

  • Lady ferns were used to decorate homes, and were popular in Victorian times.
  • One source mentions a remarkable Ladyfern field in North-eastern British Columbia that reversed an anticipated decline in Canada's natural gas production. This is presumably unrelated to the plant's cultivation.
  • Scales are present on the stipe (stalk) of the frond.

Further Information

  • Monrovia offers details and information on best practices for growing this plant.
  • WebMD provides patient medical information about Lady Fern.