Marsh Fern Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- the-LIP-ter-is pal-US-triss pew-BES-senz
- Description
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Eastern Marsh Fern is a native fern in the marsh fern family. It is found in low woodland areas along riparian corridors and roadsides. It has a low creeping rhizome from which arises erect to arching fronds. Only Thelypteris palustris available in the trade.
The plant prefers full sun to partial shade but not deep shade and moist but not too wet sandy soils. It will adapt to other soil types readily. Use in the woodland garden, along ponds or water gardens.
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:
- palustris
- Family:
- Aspleniaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America, China, and Japan
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
- Wildlife Value:
- Only known host for the Marsh Fern Moth (Fagitana littera). Small mammals browse the foliage.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Deer
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
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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:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Fronds are erect to ascending with an elliptic to lanceolate form. Pinnate with lobed pinna the middle pinna are widest. The frond is 1-2.5 ft long and 4-7 inches across and has 10-40 pairs of leaflets. Sori 9spore bearing structure) are present on the undersides of the smaller fertile leaves.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stem is tan to purplish and hairless. The central stalk of the frond and the lateral stalks of the leaflets are finely pubescent on their lower sides.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Riparian
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Rain Garden
- Shade Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Diseases
- Heat
