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New York Fern Thelypteris noveboracensis

Previously known as:

  • Parathelypteris noveboracensis
Phonetic Spelling
theh-LIP-ter-iss no-vee-bor-uh-SEN-sis
Description

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:
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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#deciduous#small spaces#low growing#semi-evergreen#yellow-green#native perennials#piedmont#shade garden#spores#fern#cover plant#low maintenance#winter interest#riparian#wetlands#showy fruits#small mammals#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#dappled sunlight#deer resistant#small and large mammals#native garden#mountains#groundcover#summer interest#spring interest#native groundcover#acidic soils tolerant#native fern#naturalized area#fruits summer#food source summer#fruits spring#food source spring#food source herbage#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#wet soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#mammals#fruits mid-summer#partial shade tolerant#Audubon#colonizing#heavy shade tolerant#woodland garden#coastal plant#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#evergreen#deciduous#small spaces#low growing#semi-evergreen#yellow-green#native perennials#piedmont#shade garden#spores#fern#cover plant#low maintenance#winter interest#riparian#wetlands#showy fruits#small mammals#moist soil#NC native#well-drained soil#dappled sunlight#deer resistant#small and large mammals#native garden#mountains#groundcover#summer interest#spring interest#native groundcover#acidic soils tolerant#native fern#naturalized area#fruits summer#food source summer#fruits spring#food source spring#food source herbage#Coastal FAC#Piedmont Mountains FAC#wet soils tolerant#dry soils tolerant#mammals#fruits mid-summer#partial shade tolerant#Audubon#colonizing#heavy shade tolerant#woodland garden#coastal plant#wildlife friendly
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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