Ferns & Lycophytes

What is a Boston fern? The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis') is a popular species of fern belonging to the Lomariopsidaceae family. Native to humid, tropical woodlands and swamps, it is globally famous for its lush, arching, feathery fronds. Discovered in a shipment of ferns from Boston to Philadelphia in 1894, it became a classic Victorian houseplant. Like all ferns, it is a non-flowering vascular plant that reproduces via spores rather than seeds.

What is an ostrich fern? The ostrich fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) is a large crown-forming deciduous fern belonging to the Onocleaceae family. Native to temperate regions of North America and Eurasia, it is named for its large, upright, feathery green fronds that resemble ostrich feathers. Are ostrich ferns edible? Yes, the tightly coiled young fronds, known as fiddleheads, are harvested in spring and eaten as a seasonal delicacy in North America and Japan.

What is the Maidenhair Fern? Adiantum capillus-veneris, the maidenhair fern, is a delicate, elegant fern species in the Pteridaceae family. Found worldwide, it is famous for its fan-shaped leaflets and thin, black, wire-like leaf stalks. It grows in damp crevices on limestone rocks and near waterfalls, adapted to high-moisture environments. The name 'Adiantum' comes from Greek, meaning 'unwetted', as its leaves repel water.

What is the Western Sword Fern? Polystichum munitum, the western sword fern, is a large, robust evergreen fern in the Dryopteridaceae family. Native to the Pacific Northwest, it is a dominant understory plant in redwood and Douglas fir forests. It is highly resilient, capable of surviving dry summer spells, and is named for its sword-shaped fronds that grow in a circular crown.

What is a Hart's Tongue Fern? The Hart's tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) is an evergreen fern in the Aspleniaceae family. Unlike typical ferns with feathery, divided leaves, this species is famous for its simple, undivided, strap-like fronds. It grows in cool, damp, rocky limestone environments. The name 'Hart' is an old English word for a male red deer, as the leaves resemble a deer's tongue.

What is a lady fern? The common lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) is a large, graceful herbaceous deciduous fern in the Woodsiaceae family. Native to temperate forests, it is named for its delicate, feathery fronds, which historically contrasted with the coarser 'male fern' (Dryopteris filix-mas). It grows in soft, circular clumps and is highly popular in shade gardening.

What is a staghorn fern? The staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) is a unique epiphytic fern in the Polypodiaceae family. Native to tropical rainforest canopies, it does not grow in soil; instead, it grows anchored to the bark of trees. It is named for its large, antler-like fronds. What are the two types of leaves on a staghorn fern? It is dimorphic, producing flat, round shield leaves at the base and long, branching fertile leaves.

What is the Royal Fern? Osmunda regalis, the royal fern or flowering fern, is a large deciduous fern in the Osmundaceae family. Found in wetlands globally, it is one of the largest ferns in Europe. It is named 'royal' for its stately size and crown-like fronds. It is also called 'flowering' because its spore-bearing frond tips turn bright golden-brown, resembling flower spikes.

What is a sensitive fern? The sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis) is a coarse, colonial deciduous fern in the Onocleaceae family. Found in wet habitats across North America and Asia, it is named 'sensitive' because its fronds are highly sensitive to frost, turning black and dying at the first sign of cold. It is also sensitive to dry conditions, wilting quickly if soil moisture declines.

What is a cinnamon fern? The cinnamon fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum) is a large, crown-forming deciduous fern in the Osmundaceae family. Native to wet woodlands of North America and East Asia, it is named for the rich, cinnamon-colored woolly hair that covers its fertile fronds. It is a classic understory wetland species, growing in large circular crowns.

One of the most widespread plants in the world, forming massive dense fronds in woodlands.

A tiny, floating aquatic fern that covers pond surfaces in dense green and red mats.

An epiphytic fern that grows abundantly on the mossy branches of bigleaf maples.

Features two distinct types of fronds: flat sterile fronds and upright fertile spikes.

The largest fern native to North America, forming majestic clumps of arching fronds.

A fast-growing tree fern featuring a slender trunk topped with a crown of lacy fronds.

An epiphytic fern that grows on oak trees and curls up to appear dead when dry.

An unusual fern consisting of a single green leaf and a separate spike resembling a snake's tongue.

A desert-adapted fern with sticky, hairy leaves that grow from limestone crevices.

An aquatic fern with floating leaves that look exactly like four-leaf clovers.