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intermediate wood fern
ExplorePlants
intermediate wood fern
Dryopteris intermedia
The intermediate wood fern is a lovely green plant that grows in shady places. Its fronds are feathery and can be very tall, making it look like a little forest on the forest floor.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The intermediate wood fern has elegant, dark green fronds with a delicate, lacy texture. Its fronds are often bipinnate-pinnatifid, appearing very feathery. Brownish scales cover its leaf stalks, making it distinct from similar ferns.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPolypodiopsidaOrderPolypodialesFamilyDryopteridaceaeGenusDryopteris
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Instead of seeds, it creates millions of super tiny, dust-like spores on the underside of its leaves.
Its 'fiddleheads' are curled young fronds, named because they look like a violin's scroll!
Some ferns have existed for hundreds of millions of years, even before the dinosaurs walked the Earth!
This fern got 'intermediate' in its name for looking like a mix of two other fern species.
Special abilities
Ability
Spore Scatterer
The intermediate wood fern can release tiny spores from its fronds, letting the wind carry them far to start new ferns.
Ability
Winter Green Shield
It has semi-evergreen fronds that stay green late into fall, allowing it to keep making food when other plants stop.
Ability
Shady Spot Master
This fern thrives in low-light, damp forest floors, efficiently using what little sunshine reaches it for growth.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-90 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Ecological connections
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Browsed occasionally, especially young fronds.
shelters
Eastern Red-backed Salamander
Plethodon cinereus
Hides beneath its dense fronds from predators.
depends on
Sugar Maple
Acer saccharum
Relies on its canopy for essential shade and moisture.
eaten by
Black Slug
Arion ater
Slugs and snails may feed on its fronds.
Traits
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Nonvascular
This trait characterizes plants lacking specialized vascular tissues (xylem and phloem) for transporting water and nutrients.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
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
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they're safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is intermediate wood fern?
30-90 cm
How wide does intermediate wood fern spread?
30-60 cm
Is intermediate wood fern edible?
No
Is intermediate wood fern toxic?
None
What is intermediate wood fern's lifecycle?
Perennial
Where is intermediate wood fern usually found?
Forests
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