Dryopteris ludoviciana
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- dry-OP-ter-iss loo-doh-vih-see-AH-nuh
- Description
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Southern wood fern is a semi-evergreen herbaceous perennial in the polypody family (Polypodiaceae). It is native to the Southeastern United States, but it is uncommon in North Carolina. The species epithet is Latin for “of Louisiana.”
Even though it is found in wet areas, southern wood fern will adapt to average garden conditions in moist fertile soils in partial shade to full shade. It can grow in a variety of soil types from sandy to clay to loamy rich organic matter. It can also handle neutral or acidic pH soil. It remains evergreen in protected, mild areas.
The shiny upright leathery green fronds are appealing. This fern is a slow to moderate grower and will form vase-shaped clumps that slowly expand by short rhizomes.
Use this plant in a shade garden, as a ground cover, in a woodland setting and along streams, bogs and ponds.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems
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:
- Native Woodland Garden, Durham Sun to Shade Garden in Craven County
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Dryopteris
- Species:
- ludoviciana
- Family:
- Dryopteridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Southeastern U.S.A.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heavy shade, Deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores on the underside of the fertile fronds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Deltoid
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The plant has both sterile and fertile dark green triangular fronds. The fertile ones are larger, (up to 3 feet in length) grow more upright, have narrower pennae and are narrower in overall shape. The sterile fronds are half as long and tend to grow outward. Leaflets are opposite on the stem
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Green stems are covered in brown scales on the lower portion
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
