How to identify Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas)

How to identify Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas)

Male fern, also known as Shield fern

Male fern is a robust fern featuring a crown of symmetrically arching fronds that can reach lengths of up to 3 to 4 feet (90 to 120 cm). The fronds display a bipinnate structure, creating a rich, feather-like texture. Each dark green leaflet is shaped with a notable, distinctively cut margin. The plant grows from a thick rhizome that modestly elevates it above the ground. Best performance is in environments that offer a balance of moisture and drainage, with the ability to adapt to a variety of light conditions, from full to partial shade.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Fern

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Male fern

Symmetrically arching fronds reaching 3-4 feet (90-120 cm) in length.

Bipinnate frond structure creating a feather-like texture.

Distinctively cut leaflets with dark green color.

Thick rhizome lifting plant slightly above ground.

Adaptable to diverse light conditions with balanced moisture and drainage.

Detailed Traits of Male fern

Leaf Features

The leaves of male fern are stiff, lustrous, and dark green, forming a flattened vase-like shape. Each frond is approximately 8 inches (20 cm) wide. The lance-shaped blades taper at both ends and are pinnate-pinnatified, featuring long pinnae with deep cuts and blunt segments. The fronds have a short, densely scaly stipe covered with brown scales. Sori, or spore clusters, are located near the midrib.

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Male fern and Their Similar Plants

Autumn fern vs. Male fern: What's The Difference?

Autumn fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) is an evergreen fern whose new fronds emerge as reddish-orange in spring, providing a colorful contrast against the dark green mature fronds. It prefers partial shade to full shade. Grows best in moist to wet, organically-rich soil.

Spinulose woodfern vs. Male fern: What's The Difference?

The spinulose woodfern (Dryopteris carthusiana) is native to parts of the United States and is commonly found in wetlands. It is used in gardens, particularly in the shady areas of woodland, rock, native plant or wild gardens. Long-living in partial to full shade.

Intermediate wood fern vs. Male fern: What's The Difference?

The intermediate wood fern is an evergreen fern found across North America and Europe. It's popular for woodland or shade gardens. It is easy to grow in well-drained soils and can tolerate high humidity.

Marginal wood fern vs. Male fern: What's The Difference?

The marginal wood fern is a hardy fern whose tough, leathery fronds stay green all year round. It can grow in full sun to full shade and is extremely drought-tolerant. Sometimes, its rootstock can be exposed, making it look like a small tree.

Crested woodfern vs. Male fern: What's The Difference?

The crested woodfern (Dryopteris cristata) is native to the Northern Hemisphere. It can only grow with year-long moisture as a wetland plant, and fronds are quite high.

Broad buckler fern vs. Male fern: What's The Difference?

Broad buckler fern is a wide-spreading deciduous semi-evergreen fern that is mistaken for other ferns but is distinguished by its darker center. Its finely cut fronds look similar to lace. Broad buckler fern is resistant to deer and rabbits. When cultivated, it is best used in shaded gardens and woodlands.

Log Fern vs. Male fern: What's The Difference?

Log Fern (Dryopteris celsa) can be found growing in areas of heavy shade on rich soils and rotten wood in the eastern United States. This plant is a fertile hybrid of the species Dryopteris goldiana and Dryopteris ludoviciana. Log Fern is also grown ornamentally for its complex and attractive leaves.

Alpine wood fern vs. Male fern: What's The Difference?

Dryopteris wallichiana, the alpine wood fern, is a robust species of deciduous or semi-evergreen fern in the family Dryopteridaceae, native to the Himalayas, Hawaii, Mexico and Jamaica. It grows to 90 cm tall, occasionally 1.8 m by 75 cm wide, with pale green tripinnate fronds, strongly contrasting with the dark brown ribs. The Latin specific epithet wallichiana refers to the 19th century Danish botanist Nathaniel Wallich. A popular plant in cultivation, it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

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Key Facts About Male fern

Attributes of Male fern

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Fern

Leaf Color

Green

Brown

Fruit Color

Black

Stem Color

Green

Leaf type

Deciduous

The Toxicity of Male fern

Slightly Toxic to Humans

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Scientific Classification of Male fern

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas)

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Distribution Map of Male fern

Male fern is widely distributed across the temperate Northern Hemisphere. It is native to vast regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. Additionally, male fern has been introduced to parts of South America. This fern thrives in a variety of habitats and is commonly cultivated beyond its natural range.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Male fern How to Grow and Care for Male fern