Northwest Native Ferns |
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General Information About Ferns |
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The definition of "fern" depends on where you are looking. Ask "what is a fern" on Google and prepare to spend hours following the paths that come in the answer list. For instance, Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia says this:
The website for Wiki answers has this:
And the website, About Ferns, returns this answer:
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Species Information For Ferns Click on links below for photos and details of each plant. |
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As yet, not all northwest native ferns are covered in this website, though that may be done some time in the future. For now, we have information about only seven of our northwest native ferns. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Adiantum aleuticum (Maidenhair Fern, Aleutian Maidenhair, Five-Fingered Fern, Serpentine Maidenhair): A deciduous, delicate, and dainty fern, growing from 1 – 2’ tall. Strong, shiny purple-black stems grow erect and split in two, from which fan horizontal fronds of tiny leaflets, spreading like the fingers of a hand. |
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Athyrium filix-femina var. cyclosorum ( Lady Fern, Common Lady-Fern): An excellent deciduous native fern which may reach 6’ tall. Spreading fan-like from their base, the fronds each form a diamond of feathery foliage. Select a sheltered spot to protect the delicate, yellow-green herbage from wind damage. Lady fern likes moist, even boggy, soil and shade. |
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Blechnum spicant (Deer fern, Hard Fern): A fine evergreen native fern, reaching heights of only 12-24." The low-growing sterile fronds spread horizontally from a basal tuft, while the fertile fronds are thin and deciduous and grow erect, directly from the center of the clump. The specimen at lower right growing in a private garden in Oregon's Willamette Valley is a fine mature example of this growth habit. |
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Dryopteris arguta (Coastal Shield Fern, Coastal Wood Fern, Wood Fern): A beautiful evergreen fern. Tolerating more sun than other northwest ferns, this species is found growing on steep wooded slopes or on sunny riverbanks along the Pacific coast, west of the Cascades, and into Arizona. |
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Polypodium glycyrrhiza (Licorice Fern,
Many-Footed Fern, Sweet Root): A highly unusual, eye-catching fern to
2’ tall, Licorice Fern grows directly out of moss on rocks and tree limbs. It is
found mostly on Big Leaf Maples and Garry Oaks. Having an opposite dormant
season, the Licorice Fern will dry up in summer drought, only to green up
immediately with the first fall rains and stay green all winter.
Photo credit: J. Brew |
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Polystichum munitum (Sword Fern, Christmas Fern Sword Holly Fern): A magnificent evergreen fern, the Sword Fern is the centerpiece of the native garden. The long-time darling of flower arrangers the world over, Sword Fern is a must for every cut-flower enthusiast. Sword Fern forms massive clumps with fronds 2-5’ in length. These perfectly symmetrical fronds grow erect or arch slightly. Large clumps can have up to 100 fronds and are stunning. |
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Woodwardia fimbriata (Giant Chain Fern): A very large fern with evergreen fronds reaching 4 to 6 feet long. In wet coastal areas this fern can be 9 feet tall. Natural preferences for part shade conditions, moist stream banks or boggy areas. It will grow in full sun if it gets enough water. It's a possibility for container gardens. I imagine one of these big boys in a large pot beside the front door. Impressive! Photo credit: Ken Morse
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