New York Fern Thelypteris noveboracensis
Previously known as:
- Parathelypteris noveboracensis
- Phonetic Spelling
- theh-LIP-ter-iss no-vee-bor-uh-SEN-sis
- Description
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A perennial species of fern found throughout the eastern United States and all three regions (mountains, Piedmont and coastal plain) of North Carolina. It is found in woodland areas and can form spreading colonies through its brown-black scaly, trailing rhizomes. They are common in sunny patches found from gaps in the overhead canopy. This fern is a wetland indicator and can survive and outcompete other species in soil pH below 4. It makes a good addition to a woodland garden or naturalized areas filling in gaps when spring wildflowers fade and providing shelter for toads. Commonly found in mesic forests, bottomland forests, bogs, and submesic forests.
Clumps of the New York Fern usually have at least three fronds which are brown at the base but become green as it approaches the leaflets. The double cut pinnae give the fern throughout wispy texture.
Seasons of Interest: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Leaf: Spring
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 landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Thelypteris
- Species:
- noveboracensis
- Family:
- Thelypteridaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used for shelter.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern US and Canada
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant provides excellent ground cover. Its parts are used in songbird nest construction.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Heavy shade, Deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Ground Cover
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- 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 pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 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:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenulate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves are 8-25" long, 4" wide, green-yellow with soft approximately 20 pinnae or leaflets are twice divided and taper in size as they reach both the tip and the base.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Small Space
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Native Garden
- Shade Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Wet Soil
