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Native Plant Database

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Dryopteris intermedia (Muhl. ex Willd.) Gray

Intermediate woodfern, Evergreen wood-fern, Fancy wood fern

Dryopteridaceae (Wood Indies-Almond Family)

Synonyms: Dryopteris austriaca var. intermedia, Dryopteris spinulosa var. concordiana, Dryopteris spinulosa var. intermedia

USDA Symbol: DRIN5

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This evergreen fern is vase shaped with long (up to 10 inches), lacy foliage. A good choice for deep shade.

The extreme variability of size and colour may make it confusing to identify. In addition, it sometimes grows mixed with D. carthusiana in some areas. (Ferns of Grey and Bruce Counties)

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb , Fern
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Bipinnate
Leaf Shape: Ovate
Leaf Texture: Leathery
Leaf: Green usually through winter. Sometimes dying back in winter.
Flower:
Fruit:

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Notes: Not a flowering plant. Reproduces by spores.

Distribution

USA: AL , CT , DC , DE , GA , IA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Habitat: Moist rocky woods, especially hemlock hardwoods, ravines, and edges of swamps.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Organic, Humus Enriched
Conditions Comments: Will grow in rocky soil if moisture requirements are met.

Propagation

Propagation Material: Clump Division
Seed Collection: Spores mature in mid-summer, are difficult to germinate.
Maintenance: The plant does not spread quickly but can be divided in spring or fall.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Longwood Gardens - Newark, DE

Bibliography

Bibref 928 - 100 easy-to-grow native plants for Canadian gardens (2005) Johnson, L.; A. Leyerle
Bibref 841 - Native Alternatives to Invasive Plants (2006) Burrell, C. C.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Dryopteris intermedia in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Dryopteris intermedia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Dryopteris intermedia

Metadata

Record Modified: 2011-08-09
Research By: TWC Staff

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