coastal wood fern

Dryopteris arguta

Family: Dryopteridaceae.

Type: Deciduous fern.

Branching: Alternate.

Leaves: This fern has twice pinnate fronds (sword fern was once pinnate, bracken fern was three times pinnate). Sori are reddish-brown, and range from round to reniform (kidney-shaped). Sori are arranged along the frond margins, and are fully exposed (not tucked under the margin).

Miscellaneous: Found in woodlands and forest, in open and semi-open sites. Middle shade-tolerance (sword fern is very shade-tolerant, bracken fern is found in open areas, coastal wood fern is between the two).





All photos and text ©2008 Ben Haller. Permission is granted to use and reproduce these photos for any non-commercial or non-profit use as long as this original copyright notice is retained.