How to identify Intermediate wood fern (Dryopteris intermedia)

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How to identify Intermediate wood fern (Dryopteris intermedia)

Intermediate wood fern, also known as Fancy Fern, American Shield Fern, Evergreen wood fern

Intermediate wood fern is distinguished by its fronds which display an evergreen to semi-evergreen quality in milder winters, contributing to its resilience and year-round presence in favorable conditions. The fronds generally maintain their vitality and visual appeal throughout the year and gracefully weather the winter. Preferring moist, shaded habitats, intermediate wood fern can withstand somewhat dry conditions for brief periods. It exhibits a non-spreading habit, with its fronds emerging afresh every spring, necessitating the removal of old growth during winter's end to maintain its visual appeal. The plant's structure is enhanced by its resistance to harsh climates if shielded from strong winds that may otherwise cause damage to its delicate fronds. Its preference for specific growing conditions and maintenance needs assist in its identification.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Evergreen

Quickly Identify Intermediate wood fern

Fronds display evergreen to semi-evergreen quality in mild winters.

Circular cluster of deeply dissected, oval to narrowly triangular leaves.

Bipinnate-pinnatifid to tripinnate leaf structure with thin texture and minute glands.

First lower pinnule on the basal pinna shorter than the second.

Stipe adorned with light brown scales, measuring one-fourth to one-third frond length.

Detailed Traits of Intermediate wood fern

Leaf Features

The leaves of intermediate wood fern exhibit deeply dissected blades arranged in a circular cluster. Each blade is oval to narrowly triangular, ranging from bipinnate-pinnatifid to tripinnate, with a thin texture. Minute glands are present on the blade. The first lower pinnule on the basal pinna is shorter than the second. The stipe, measuring one-fourth to one-third the total frond length, is adorned with light brown scales.

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Intermediate wood fern and Their Similar Plants

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

Male fern thrives in part to full shade, which makes it a nice choice for understandings, or areas that don't get enough sun for other plants to thrive. This graceful plant grows in clumps, will return year after year, and is resistant to rabbits.

Autumn fern vs. Intermediate wood 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. Intermediate wood 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.

Marginal wood fern vs. Intermediate wood 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. Intermediate wood 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. Intermediate wood 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. Intermediate wood 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. Intermediate wood 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 Intermediate wood fern

Attributes of Intermediate wood fern

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Herb

Leaf Color

Green

Brown

Stem Color

Green

Leaf type

Evergreen

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Scientific Classification of Intermediate wood fern

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Intermediate wood fern (Dryopteris intermedia)

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Distribution Map of Intermediate wood fern

Intermediate wood fern is a fern species mainly native to the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere. It flourishes in forested regions and is adapted to cooler climates. Being a resilient plant, intermediate wood fern has naturally spread across extensive ranges. Additionally, it has been introduced to areas in Eastern Asia, where it has managed to establish itself, further expanding its presence beyond its initial native habitat.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Intermediate wood fern

A Comprehensive Guide to Intermediate wood fern How to Grow and Care for Intermediate wood fern