Ontario Ferns website

Spinulose Wood Fern
Dryopteris carthusiana

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana) Other common names: Spinulose Shield Fern, Toothed Wood Fern

Other scientific names: Aspidium spinulosum, Dryopteris spinulosa, Polypodium carthusianum, Thelypteris spinulosa

French names: Dryoptère spinuleuse

Family: Wood Fern Family (Dryopteridaceae)

Group: Wood Ferns

Distinctive features: Lower inner pinnae (subleaflet) on each leaflet is longer.

Similar species:
  •   Intermediate Wood Fern (Dryopteris intermedia) - lower inner pinna rule does not apply; fronds are evergreen.

  •   Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina)

  •   Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas)

  •   Crested Shield Fern (Dryopteris cristata) - leaflets are leathery.

  •   Goldie's Fern (Dryopteris goldiana)


Fronds: Thrice divided

Habitat: Forests

Native/Non-native: Native

Notes: Easily confused with Intermediate Wood Fern (Dryopteris intermedia).
In Spinulose Wood Fern the lower one of the basal pair on the basal pinna is longest. In layman's terminology ... Two leaflets closest to the stem are longer. This is most pronounced on the lowest pair of leaflets on the stalk. THIS IS THE KEY IDENTIFYING FEATURE OF THIS SPECIES. See photos on this page that illustrate this feature.


Photographs: 137 photographs available, of which 15 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

Overall shape and form.

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

The lower one of the basal pair on the basal pinna is longest. In layman's terminology ... Note in this photo how the two leaflets closest to the stem are longer. This is most pronounced on the lowest pair of leaflets on the stalk. THIS IS THE KEY IDENTIFYING FEATURE OF THIS SPECIES.

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

Again...

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

A young one in the spring (mid May).

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

Upper surface of a leaflet.

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

Underside of a leaflet.

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

Sori beginning to form on the underside of the fronds.

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

More sori forming.

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

In this photo the sori are more developed.

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

Stalk of Spinulose Wood Fern.

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

Herbarium specimen showing overall shape and form.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium,Burlington,Ontario).

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

Herbarium specimen, again showing overall shape and form.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium,Burlington,Ontario).

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

Herbarium specimen showing the sori.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium,Burlington,Ontario).

Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

Herbarium specimen showing the roots.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium,Burlington,Ontario).


Range map for Spinulose Wood Fern (Dryopteris carthusiana)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)