ExplorePlants

spreading wood fern

Dryopteris expansa

The spreading wood fern is a lovely green plant that grows in shady places. Its fronds spread out like a fan, making it look soft and fluffy. It's a great plant for hiding little creatures!

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The spreading wood fern is a robust, lacy fern with broad, triangular fronds. Its vibrant green leaves often have a slightly ruffled or wavy texture, forming dense, upright clumps. Look for its prominent dark scales on the lower stems and leaf midribs, distinguishing it from similar forest ferns.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPolypodiopsidaOrderPolypodialesFamilyDryopteridaceaeGenusDryopteris
spreading wood fern
furry trait badgeshade_tolerant trait badgeevergreen trait badgespore_producing trait badge
spreading wood fern

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Ferns are ancient plants, thriving on Earth long before dinosaurs appeared!

Instead of seeds, these ferns reproduce using microscopic, dust-like spores.

Its fronds unfurl like tiny coiled springs, a process called circinate vernation!

Some parts of this fern have been traditionally used to make a yellow dye!

Special abilities

Ability

Spore Launchpad

The spreading wood fern can launch tiny spores from its fronds that float on the wind to grow new ferns!

Ability

Cold Conqueror

This fern has tough fronds that can stay green even through mild winters, helping it gather sunlight all year.

Ability

Underground Explorer

The spreading wood fern has spreading underground stems called rhizomes that help it slowly expand its territory.

Measurements & details

Height
30-90 cm
Spread
45-90 cm
Edible
No
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Perennial

Ecological connections

eaten by

grey field slug

Deroceras reticulatum

This common slug may graze on its tender fronds.

shelters

common black ground beetle

Pterostichus melanarius

Ground beetles find cool hiding spots beneath its dense fronds.

eaten by

white-tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

Deer occasionally browse its fronds, especially new growth.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

It's safe to look at ferns, but don't pull them out of the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is spreading wood fern?

30-90 cm

How wide does spreading wood fern spread?

45-90 cm

Is spreading wood fern edible?

No

Is spreading wood fern toxic?

None

What is spreading wood fern's lifecycle?

Perennial

Where is spreading wood fern usually found?

Forests

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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