male fern
ExplorePlants
male fern
Dryopteris filix-mas
The male fern is a beautiful green plant that grows in shady places. Its fronds are long and feathery, making it look like a soft green feather waving in the breeze.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The male fern has large, upright, shuttlecock-shaped fronds that unfurl bright green in spring, maturing to a rich, dark green. Its stiff, scaly stems are covered in brown hairs, distinguishing it from softer, more delicate ferns. The fronds are deeply cut, giving them a feathery appearance.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPolypodiopsidaOrderPolypodialesFamilyDryopteridaceaeGenusDryopteris
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Its 'male' name comes from its robust, sturdy appearance compared to more delicate 'female' ferns.
Male ferns don't have flowers or seeds; they reproduce with incredibly tiny, dust-like spores!
Some parts of the male fern have been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years!
The young, coiled fronds are called fiddleheads, but don't eat them from this particular fern!
Special abilities
Ability
Spore Shooter
Male ferns reproduce by launching tiny spores from their fronds, spreading new ferns far and wide without seeds.
Ability
Rhizome Resilience
A tough underground stem (rhizome) stores energy, allowing the male fern to reliably regrow fresh fronds each year.
Ability
Pest Deterrent
The male fern contains compounds, like filicin, which historically helped protect it from grazing animals and pests.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-120 cm
- Spread
- 60-90 cm
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Ecological connections
eats
Garden Snail
Helix aspersa
Consumes tender fronds.
eats
Black Slug
Arion ater
Browses on its leaves.
shelters
Wood Mouse
Apodemus sylvaticus
Finds cover within 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.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
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 are safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is male fern?
30-120 cm
How wide does male fern spread?
60-90 cm
Is male fern edible?
No
Is male fern toxic?
Mild
What is male fern's lifecycle?
Perennial
Where is male fern usually found?
Forests
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