Found in low woods, swamps, thickets, and rocky slopes, the toothed woodfern prefers wet to moist soils. Its delicate fronds grow in a vase-like crown, enabling a semi-evergreen growth, characteristic of the woodfern or Dryopteris family. Its height ranges from 1'-2.5', forming colonies. One form of identification is the bottommost pair of pinnae, where the basal pinules (closest to the main stalk) should be the longest. On Dryopteris intermedia, the pinules one away from the main stalk are the longest. The green stipe will have light brown scales on its surface. Sori are located near the tips of veins.
Spinulose woodfern is threatened by hydrolic changes and browsing.
(Picture from National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland)
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