Shield Fern Dryopteris carthusiana
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Shield Fern:
- Phonetic Spelling
- dry-OP-ter-iss kar-thoo-see-AY-nuh
- Description
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This native fern is easy to grow and grows naturally in swamps and wet woods in full or partial shade.
It can be propagated by division or spores. Once the receptacles on the underside of the frond become dark and the membranes open, a fine, black powder will be released. The fronds will now be fertile. Place them in an envelope and store near a light bulb for several days to dry out any moisture. Sift out any debris and store the spores in a cool, dry location.
VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: This plant is relatively pest and disease free.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Deck Planting
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dryopteris
- Species:
- carthusiana
- Family:
- Polypodiacea
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Temp. Northern Hemisphere
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heavy shade, This plant is seldom damaged by deer or rabbits.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Erect, vase-shaped clump of glossy, dissected arching fronds; rhizome and stipe are light brown; blade is narrowly oval to triangular and bipinnate pinnatifid; has lower pairs of triangular pinnae; taper towards the tip; fronds turn yellow in fall; no glandular hair on blade.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Near Septic
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
- Wet Soil
