Forming small evergreen rosettes, the fronds of the crested wood fern reach 2.5 feet in height. It is found in shallow marshes and swamps across the North American continent. Full sun is tolerable, but thrives with 2-3 hours of sun. Once established, will tolerate dry shade. Hardy to -35 degrees.
Basal pinnae are reduced, while fertile pinnae are rotated perpendicular to the taller, erect blade. Blade is narrowly lanceolate, leaflets are pinnate-pinnatifid. Also, a key characteristic of the Dryopteris family, the indusium takes on a broad horseshoe shape in midsummer.
Also known as buckler fern, shield fern, and narrow swamp fern.
(Picture from Mike Rosenthal <www.msrosenthal.com>)
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