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Native Plant Database

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Dryopteris marginalis (Marginal woodfern)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Dryopteris marginalis (L.) Gray

Marginal woodfern, Marginal fern, Marginal shieldfern

Dryopteridaceae (Wood Indies-Almond Family)

USDA Symbol: DRMA4

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The broad, dark, leathery, twice-pinnate, evergreen fronds of marginal wood fern are from 1-3 ft. high and as much as 10 in. wide. They arise in vase-like circles from the rootstock, which has a 1 to 4 inch-high crown and sends out shallow, non-colonizing roots radially. Fiddleheads arise in spring and are golden brown and furry.

A well-behaved, non-colonizing fern for the cool, eastern woodland landscape, this fern never becomes aggressive. In snowy winters, it can be glimpsed protruding through blankets of snow, its blue-green coloration in stately contrast to the surrounding white.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Fern
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Notes: Normally about 20 inches tall, but can reach 3 feet
Leaf: Dark green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Notes: Not a flowering plant. Reproduces by spores.

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON
Native Distribution: New England to e. Ont., s. to GA, TN, AR, e. OK, & e. KS. Eastern North America, Zones 5 to 7.
Native Habitat: Moist woods and ravines; Shaded, sandstone crevices; Rocky ledges
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N), GL(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium , High
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Moist, rocky, acidic, humus-rich soil. Tolerates lime.
Conditions Comments: This fern likes an oak leaf winter cover. Rather sensitive to heat.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: An evergreen, clumping fern for cool eastern woodland landscapes
Use Wildlife: Provides cover for toads and lizards
Interesting Foliage: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division
Description: Propagate by root crown division and from spores.
Commercially Avail: yes

Mr. Smarty Plants says

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From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA
Prairie Nursery - Westfield, WI

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College, The - Valhalla, NY
Texas Discovery Gardens - Dallas, TX
Delaware Nature Society - Hockessin, DE
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski
Bibref 1231 - Guide To the Ferns of Grey and Bruce Counties, Ontario (1999) Owen Sound Field Naturalists
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Dryopteris marginalis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Dryopteris marginalis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Dryopteris marginalis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-10
Research By: TWC Staff

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