Dryopteris erythrosora
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aspidium erythrosorum
- Dryopteris oblongipinnula
- Dryopteris remotipinnula
- Nephrodium erythrosorum
- Phonetic Spelling
- dry-OP-ter-iss er-rith-roh-SOR-uh
- Description
-
Japanese shield fern is a small, semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial in the polypody family (Polypodiaceae). It is native to eastern Asia. The species epithet, meaning “red sori [the sporangia clusters],” calls attention to the bright red indusium of this species.
This fern likes acidic, constantly moist soils that are high in organic matter. Once fully established, the fern can tolerate brief droughts. It can take dappled sun to deep shade. Protect plants from drying winds.
Japanese shield fern forms an arching vase-shaped clump reaching a mature size of 2 feet tall and up to 3 feet wide. Plants will spread slowly over time through underground creeping rhizomes. The fronds of this fern emerge coppery pink and turn green as they mature. It is a low-maintenance fern that withstands full shade and is resistant to browsing by rabbits.
This fern can be a container plant inside or on a patio and can be grown in woodland and shade gardens. It can be an accent, groundcover or mass planting.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This species may naturalize in NC as it has in other states and may become a problematic invasive species.
VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Collector’s Garden Part Shade Garden, Durham County Buncombe County Extension Demonstration Garden, Sun & Shade Colorful Borders A Sampling of Shade Gardens
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Brilliance'
- 'Brilliance'
- 'Brilliance'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Brilliance'
- 'Brilliance'
- 'Brilliance'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dryopteris
- Species:
- erythrosora
- Family:
- Polypodiaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China to Temp. Eastern Asia
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heavy shade, This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Clumping
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- 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:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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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:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Orange
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Rosulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Young fronds are glossy, coppery pink; mature fronds are deep, glossy green; fronds are broad, triangular and bipinnate; segments have curved teeth; small scales on undersurface of midvein and pinna rachises; remains erect in winter; bright red indusia covering young sori.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Patio
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Fairy Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
- Urban Conditions
- Problems:
- Weedy
