Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Athyrium filix-femina, the lady fern or common lady-fern, is a large, feathery species of fern native to temperate Asia, Europe, and North Africa. It is often abundant (one of the more common ferns) in damp, shady woodland environments and is often grown for decoration. Its common names "lady fern" and "female fern" refer to how its reproductive structures (sori) are concealed in an inconspicuous – deemed "female" – manner on the frond.
Quick Facts
| Scientific name | Athyrium filix-femina |
| Family | Athyriaceae |
| Height | 2-3 ft |
| Bloom time | Non-flowering (spores) |
| Sun | Part shade to shade |
| Moisture | Mesic to wet |
| Soil | Rich loam |
| Wildlife value | Lacy and adaptable; shelter for amphibians and ground insects |
Mentioned In
Image Credits
- No machine-readable author provided. MPF assumed (based on copyright claims). (CC BY 2.5)
- MurielBendel (CC BY-SA 4.0)