Fauna
Plant

Broad Beech Fern

Phegopteris hexagonoptera

Also known as Broad Beech-Fern, Southern Beech Fern

Broad beech ferns form delicate, pale green carpets across rich hardwood forest floors. Their broad, distinctly triangular fronds display a unique winged pattern where the leaflets join the central stalk. Spreading via creeping underground rhizomes, colonies thrive in undisturbed, moist soils beneath mature canopy trees.

WoodlandFernNative
Broad Beech Fern reference1 / 7
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPhotosynthetic
Predators
  • Slugs
  • Moth larvae
ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, invasive plant species, forest clearing
HabitatsMoist hardwood forests, rich ravines, shaded woods
Life spanPerennial
Classification
  1. FamilyThelypteridaceae
  2. SpeciesPhegopteris hexagonoptera
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Stalk Inspection: Check the central stalk for continuous green wings connecting the lower leaflets.
  • Habitat Spotting: Search moist, undisturbed hardwood slopes during late spring through autumn.
Related species
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