Other common names:
Spinulose Shield Fern, Toothed Wood Fern Other scientific names: Aspidium spinulosum, Dryopteris spinulosa, Polypodium carthusianum, Thelypteris spinulosa French names:
Dryoptère spinuleuse Family: Wood Fern Family (Dryopteridaceae) Group: Wood Ferns Distinctive features:
Lower inner pinnae (subleaflet) on each leaflet is longer. Similar species: • Intermediate Wood Fern (Dryopteris intermedia) - lower inner pinna rule does not apply; fronds are evergreen. • Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina) • Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) • Crested Shield Fern (Dryopteris cristata) - leaflets are leathery. • Goldie's Fern (Dryopteris goldiana) Leaves: Thrice divided Stem:
Has sparse scales. Habitat: Forests Native/Non-native:
Native Notes:
Easily confused with Intermediate Wood Fern (Dryopteris intermedia).
In Spinulose Wood Fern the lower one of the basal pair on the basal pinna is longest. In layman's terminology ... Two leaflets closest to the stem are longer. This is most pronounced on the lowest pair of leaflets on the stalk. THIS IS THE KEY IDENTIFYING FEATURE OF THIS SPECIES. See photos on this page that illustrate this feature.
For more information visit: Ontario Ferns Photographs:
137 photographs available, of which 15 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
The lower one of the basal pair on the basal pinna is longest. In layman's terminology ... Note in this photo how the two leaflets closest to the stem are longer. This is most pronounced on the lowest pair of leaflets on the stalk. THIS IS THE KEY IDENTIFYING FEATURE OF THIS SPECIES.
Again...
A young one in the spring (mid May).
Upper surface of a leaflet.
Underside of a leaflet.
Sori beginning to form on the underside of the fronds.
