Other common names:
Crested Wood Fern Other scientific names: Aspidium cristatum, Polypodium cristata, Thelypteris cristata French names:
Dryoptère à crêtes Family: Wood Fern Family (Dryopteridaceae) Distinctive features:
Leathery leaves, all parallel to the ground like louvered blinds. Similar species: • Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana) - usually thrice divided, and don't grow in such a wet habitat. • Intermediate Wood Fern (Dryopteris intermedia) - usually thrice divided, and don't grow in such a wet habitat. Fronds: Twice divided; Leathery leaves, all parallel to the ground like louvered blinds. But don't rely on just the louvering to ID this fern. Other ferns will sometimes do this. Height:
Up to 1 m (1-2 ft) Habitat:
very wet areas. Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
Common.
Photographs:
58 photographs available, of which 11 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
This and the next three photos show the louvered aspect of the leaflets.
**BUT** do not use this feature alone to identify this fern. Other ferns sometimes grow like this. I've been fooled.
The key features of Crested Shield Fern are:
leathery leaflets;
grows in wet areas;
twice divided; louvered leaflets.
A young frond unfurling.
Spore dots (sori) on the underside of a leaflet. They're round and are lined up in two rows.
This photos shows the two rows of sori quite clearly.
Closeup view of the sori.
In the fall.
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