Berry Bladder Fern Cystopteris bulbifera

The native Bulblet Bladder Fern is a native deciduous plant in the wood fern family.  Growing from a rhizome, it is found in Canada and across the middle and eastern parts of the U.S.A. in moist areas below 1500 m in elevation. Its natural habitat includes shaded ledges, stream banks, roadsides, cliffs and rocky slopes. 

It grows in the form of rosettes with fronds that are ascending to widely spreading. The bulblets on the undersides of fertile fronds fall to the ground to form new plants in addition to have sori (a cluster of structures that produce and contain spores) that get dispersed by the wind. This is the only fern that will establish bulblets.

It grows 1-2 feet tall and wide and prefers partial shade to shade in moist, humusy rocky limestone soils in a humid protected environment. It can be found growing near mossy stone walls, cliffs and boulders. Use this plant in a woodland setting and provide consistent moisture.

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.

Quick ID Hints: 

•      Bulblets on the underside of the leaves
•      Its compound leaves are widest at or near the base.
•      The tips of the leaves are long and slender
•      Lateral veins of the subleaflets extend to the sinuses