Plant
Marginal Wood Fern
Dryopteris marginalisAlso known as Marginal Shield Fern, Marginal Fern
Marginal wood fern forms robust, fountain-like clumps of leathery, dark blue-green fronds that remain evergreen through winter in much of its range. Emerging from a central vase-like rootstock, the erect fronds feature distinct spore-producing sori lined neatly along the outer margins of the leaflets. This hardy plant thrives in shaded, rocky woodlands and ravine slopes where few other plants find purchase.
EvergreenShade-LovingNative Plant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthesis)
Predators
- Slugs
- Snails
- Browsing deer
ThreatsHabitat destruction, invasive species competition, severe drought
HabitatsRocky woodlands, shaded slopes, ravine walls, stream banks
Life spanPerennial (decades)
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
- Sori Location: Flip a frond over to check for tiny spore clusters lined along leaflet edges.
- Habitat Spotting: Look for blue-green frond crowns on steep, shaded, non-calcareous rock slopes.
- Winter Observing: Watch for dark green fronds lying flat against the forest floor under snow.
Co-Occurring Fern (c) Michael J. Papay, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Michael J. Papay · cc-by
Rock-Dwelling Neighbor (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Étienne Lacroix-Carignan · cc0
Close Relative Carl Axel Magnus Lindman / Public domain · cc0
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.