Wide-spreading where its rhizomes are constantly wet, and tolerates most soil conditions. Enjoying dappled sun or shade, the southern lady fern grows bipinnate-pinnatifid fronds in a false crown, resembling a bouquet of christmas tree forms. It can reach 2'-3' and spreads by offsets of plant colonies. It should have protection from wind and a locale of high humidity.
While this fern may be confused with Dryopteris species, the lady fern's leaves are larger, and deciduous, not evergreen. Differences also include the lady fern's slender spore-bearing structures, as opposed to the wood fern's round sori.
These ferns are found in deciduous woodlands, shaded seeps, and swamp edges.
(Picture from Meadowbrook Nursery)
1 comment:
Very informative. It makes me want to plant ferns all over my yard!
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