autumn fern

Dryopteris erythrosora

The autumn fern is a beautiful plant with bright, colorful leaves that change in the fall. It loves to grow in shady places and adds a splash of color to gardens and forests.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The autumn fern has striking fronds that emerge a beautiful coppery-red or bronze, gradually maturing into a glossy, dark green. Its triangular, deeply cut fronds form a dense, graceful clump, distinct from many plain green ferns.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPolypodiopsidaOrderPolypodialesFamilyDryopteridaceaeGenusDryopteris

Photo: KENPEICC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

autumn fern

Interesting facts

Ancient ferns like this have been around for millions of years, even before dinosaurs roamed the Earth!

Baby fern fronds unroll in a spiral, looking just like the head of a violin, called a "fiddlehead"!

Ferns help purify the air by absorbing pollutants, keeping our world clean and fresh!

Its scientific name, *erythrosora*, means "red sori," referring to the cool reddish spore cases on its fronds!

Special abilities

Autumn fern can reproduce using tiny spores found on the underside of its fronds, sending out new plant "babies" without needing flowers or seeds!

This fern has young fronds that magically unfurl in vibrant copper or red, then slowly transform to a deep, glossy green as they mature.

Autumn fern can thrive in shady spots where many other plants struggle, using the low light to grow strong and healthy.

Measurements & details

Height: 30-75 cm
Spread: 30-75 cm
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial

Ecological connections

Symbiotic with

Common Earthworm

Lumbricus terrestris

improves soil health

Shelter

Garden Snail

Helix aspersa

rests under its fronds

Symbiotic with

Bonnet Mushroom

Mycena galericulata

decomposes leaf litter

Traits

Deciduous

Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.

Ornamental

Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.

Shade Tolerant

Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Fall Color

Fall color refers to the seasonal change in foliage pigmentation, primarily in deciduous plants, displaying vibrant hues.

Forest

Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch wild plants, as some can be prickly or not safe.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify autumn fern?

Compare frond shape, how the leaflets are arranged, the stalk, and any spore clusters you can see. A single detached leaflet often hides the plant's overall growth pattern. Fern Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

How tall is autumn fern?

30-75 cm

How wide does autumn fern spread?

30-75 cm

Is autumn fern edible?

Is autumn fern toxic?

None

What is autumn fern's lifecycle?

Perennial

Where is autumn fern usually found?

Forests