Plant · GBIF taxon 5275044
Lady Fern
Athyrium filix-feminaAlso known as Common Lady-fern, Northern Lady Fern
Lady ferns unfurl delicate, bright green fronds each spring from stout, scaly rhizomes, forming graceful arches in damp woodland understories. Their twice-to-thrice pinnate leaves feature distinctive crescent-shaped spore clusters on the undersides, which shed dust-like spores carried by autumn breezes. These hardy perennials die back completely in winter before re-emerging in lush clusters as warm weather returns.
Shade TolerantDeciduous FernFeathery Fronds
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
- Slugs and snails
- Herbivorous insects
- White-tailed deer
ThreatsHabitat loss, forest clearing, extreme drought
HabitatsMoist woodlands, stream banks, damp ravines, thickets
Life spanPerennial (deciduous, living 20+ years)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPolypodiales
- FamilyAthyriaceae
- GenusAthyrium
- SpeciesAthyrium filix-femina
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spore Identification: Turn over mature fronds in late summer to examine the distinct crescent-shaped or J-shaped sori.
- Garden Care: Plant in rich, moist soil in full to partial shade and protect from harsh midday winds.
- Spring Observation: Watch for tight, coiled fiddleheads breaking through the soil litter in early spring.
Co-occurring Fern (c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Tom Norton · cc-by
Understory Companion Doug McGrady from Warwick, RI, USA / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Look-alike Species (c) Timothy McNitt, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Timothy McNitt · cc-by
Close Relative Carl Axel Magnus Lindman / Public domain · cc0
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