Other common names:
Marsh Shield Fern Other scientific names: Aspidium thelypteris French names:
Thélyptère des marais varieté pubescent Family: Marsh Fern Family (Thelypteridaceae) Distinctive features:
Leaflet edges curl under; fronds grow singly. Similar species: • Wood Ferns • Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum) - also grows in wet areas; has tufts at the base of the leaflets; fronds grow from a single point (knob). • Ostrich Fern (Matteuccia struthiopteris) - also grows in moist areas - much taller, stem straight, overall shape is different. • Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) - this is thrice cut and grows in the woods. Leaves: Twice divided; Leaflets may curl under at the edges. Stem:
Crooked, usually smooth, but may be slightly hairy. Fronds grow singly. Habitat: Wet Areas; Marshes, wet ground. Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
Common.
Notes:
Sometimes mistaken for Cinnamon Fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum).
Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: palustris: of swamps, marshes For more information visit: Ontario Ferns Photographs:
126 photographs available, of which 12 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Range Map is at the bottom of the page
The overall shape of Marsh Fern. Note that the leaflets do not taper much at all towards the base. Note the crooked stem.
Sometimes it may be found growing in unexpected places, such as this alvar on the Bruce Peninsula. There must be a stable source of moisture at the bottom of this crack in the alvar.
Closer view of these "out of place" Marsh Ferns.
And again.
View of the upper side of the fertile leaflets of Marsh Fern. The leaflet edges curl under quite a bit on the fertile leaflets.
PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.
(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website
and is displayed here in accordance with their
Policies)
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