Plant · GBIF taxon 5275091
marginal wood fern
Dryopteris marginalisAlso known as Marginal Shield Fern
Marginal wood fern forms a robust rosette of leathery, blue-green fronds that remain green throughout winter. Spore-bearing sori cluster prominently along the outer edges of the leaflets, providing a clear visual mark for identification. This slow-growing fern thrives on rocky forest floors and shaded talus slopes across eastern North America.
EvergreenShade TolerantPerennial
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Nutrients
Predators
- Deer
- Slugs
- Sawfly Larvae
ThreatsHabitat destruction, invasive species competition
HabitatsRocky woodlands, shaded slopes, stream banks, ravines
Life spanPerennial (several decades)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyDryopteridaceae
- SpeciesDryopteris marginalis
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 Inspection: Flip fronds in late summer to spot the diagnostic sori lining the leaf margins.
- Winter Spotting: Look for blue-green fronds lying flat near the ground during winter months.
Frequent Companion (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay · cc-by
Close Relative 
Close Relative Carl Axel Magnus Lindman / Public domain · cc0Close Relative
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