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Dryopteris marginalis
(L.) A.Gray
Marginal Shield Fern
Dryopteridaceae
Dryopteris marginalis is a species of fern in the family Dryopteridaceae. It is native to eastern North America.
Description
Dryopteris marginalis is an evergreen fern. Leaves are 30 to 100 cm long and 15 to 25 cm wide, on a stipe that is a third to a quarter the length of the entire leaf. The stipe is densely covered with pale brown scales at the base. Leaves are bluish green, leathery, lack glands, and are ovate-lanceolate in outline. They are pinnate to bipinnate, with leaflets that are themselves pinnately lobed or sometimes compound. Leaflets are lanceolate in outline; the margins are shallowly scalloped, or smooth. Sori are borne on or close to the margins (FNAEC 1993).
Dryopteris marginalis often hybridizes with other species, and hybrids are fairly common, although they can be distinguished by their deformed spores (FNAEC 1993).
Dryopteris marginalis often hybridizes with other species, and hybrids are fairly common, although they can be distinguished by their deformed spores (FNAEC 1993).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Dryopteris marginalis is used as an ornamental. It prefers moist, humusy, acidic soils in part to full shade, and grows in USDA zones 3 to 8 (MBG).
Distribution
Dryopteris marginalis is found in rocky slopes, ravines, wooded areas, and alongside streams, at an altitude of 50 to 150 m. It is native from Oklahoma, east to the Appalachian Mountains, north to Newfoundland, southwest to the Great Lakes (FNAEC 1993).
Status
References
FNAEC (Flora of North America Editorial Committee), editor. 1993. Flora of North America, north of Mexico. Volume 2: Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. New York: Oxford University Press.
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Dryopteris marginalis. Plant Finder. [accessed 2020 Oct 23]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=k170&
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Dryopteris marginalis. Plant Finder. [accessed 2020 Oct 23]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=k170&
Description
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