Dryopteris filix-mas
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| Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott |
Dryopteris filix-mas (Common Male Fern or Male Fern) is one of the most common ferns of the temperate Northern Hemisphere, occurring throughout much of Europe, Asia and North America. It favours damp shaded areas and is particularly ubiquitous in the understory of woodlands, but also found in shady places on hedge-banks, rocks and screes. It is much less abundant in North America than in Europe.
The half-evergreen leaves have an upright habit and reach a maximum length of 1.5 m, with a single crown on each rootstock. The bipinnate leaves consist of 20-35 pinnae on each side of the rachis. The leaves taper at both ends, with the basal pinnae about half the length of the middle pinnae. The pinules are rather blunt and equally lobed all around. The stalks are covered with orange-brown scales. On the abaxial surface of the mature blade develop in two rows 5 to 6 sori. When the spores ripen in August to November, the indusium start to shrivel, leading to the release of the spores.
This species hybridises easily with Dryopteris affinis (Scaly Male Fern) and Dryopteris oreades (Mountain Male Fern).
[edit] Cultivation and uses
The root was used, until recent times, as an anthelmintic to expel tapeworms. It is also grown as an ornamental fern in gardens.
[edit] References and external links
