Coastal Wood Fern (Dryopteris arguta) Login         


        Description
  • Height 1 - 3 ft.
  • Wood Fern fronds feel tough. Leaflets often have toothed, bristly tips.
  • Fronds are widest at the base, each making a long triangular shape.
  • Segments often turn slightly, so the overall frond is not flat.
  • Found in well-drained woodlands, primarily along the coast.
  • CA native
  • AKA California Wood Fern, Wood Fern, Shield Fern
  • Wood Fern Family (Dryopteridaceae)



Fronds are widest at the base. Leathery segments often twist.



Underneath the leaflets you'll find horseshoe-shaped sori.



This evergreen fern grows year round, but will drop its leaves in drought conditions.

   Photo Gallery (33 ) click any picture to enlarge
    

Wood Fern is an under-story plant of woodlands. Each [[frond]] has a triangular shape, widest at the bottom.

The scientific name genus [i]Dryopteris[/i] comes from the Greek "[i]drys[/i]" meaning oak, and [i]"pteris"[/i] meaning fern. Indeed, this is a fern ...

Wood Fern varies its shape a fair amount but generally is twice divided - once where the [[segments]] branch out from the [[midrib]], and again where ...

The base of each [[frond]] has brown scales that peel off. The leafy parts often start a ways up the midrib, leaving the bottom bare.

[[Segments]] often twist which reminds some people of window blinds.