DRYOPTERIS FILIX-MAS (L.) Schott.

                                                                      Male Fern

 

 

FAMILY: Dryopteridaceae

 

HABIT: Rhizome erect; fronds up to 1 m. long.

 

SIMILAR SPECIES: This species superficially resembles D. marginalis or the hybrid between D. marginalis and D. carthusiana. Male fern can be differentiated from other wood ferns by having scales on the stipe as well as the rachis.

 

TOTAL RANGE: Circumboreal, s. to Vt., n. to Mich., ne. Ill., S.D., and Mexico.

 

STATE RANGE: Post-1980 records from Richland and Summit counties.

 

STATE STATUS: Added-2002; Endangered-2004.

 

HABITAT: Moist rich woods.

 

HAZARDS: Invasive species and habitat loss.

 

RECOVERY POTENTIAL: Fair; species seems to be increasing its range.

 

INVENTORY GUIDELINES: Collect mature sporalating material.

 

COMMENTS: Male fern possibly is expanding its range as it has been recently discovered in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

           

SELECTED REFERENCES:

 

Flora of North America Committee eds. 1993+. Flora of North America North of Mexico. 7+ vols.  Oxford University Press, New York and Oxford. 

 

 

Division of Natural Areas and Preserves

Ohio Department of Natural Resources

Created 3/04 Richard Gardner