Gymnocarpium dryopteris

Gymnocarpium dryopteris, the western oakfern, common oak fern, oak fern, or northern oak fern, is a deciduous fern of the family Cystopteridaceae. It is widespread across much of North America and Eurasia. It has been found in Canada, the United States, Greenland, China, Japan, Korea, Russia, and most of Europe. It is a seedless, vascular plant (with xylem and phloem) that reproduces via spores (not seeds or flowers) and have a life cycle with alternating, free-living sporophyte and gametophyte phases.

Description

A deciduous fern growing 0.3 m tall and wide at slow rate. Hardy to UK zone 3 and noted for attracting wildlife. Tolerates light sandy and medium loamy soils, mildly acidic to very acidic pH. Thrives in full shade or semi-shade and prefers moist or wet soil.

Edible Uses

None Known

Medicinal Uses

None known

Distribution

It is a temperate plant. In north China it grows between 300-2,900 m above sea level in damp areas in pine forests. It suits hardiness zones 4-8.

Where It Grows

Asia, China, Europe, Japan, Korea, Luxembourg, Mongolia, North America, USA,

Propagation

Sow spores at 15°C (59°F) when ripe, or divide in spring.

Other Uses

A good medium-density groundcover for woodland gardens, with lush, bright green fronds that brighten a dark forest floor. Grizzly bear and elk have been observed eating oak fern. Suitable for use as an accent plant, in flower borders and beds, as ground cover, in cottage and informal gardens, architectural plantings, mass plantings, wildflower gardens, woodland gardens, and as a cut foliage plant in containers.

Synonyms

References (3)

• Jackes, D. A., Edible Forest Gardens
• Urgamal, M., et al, 2014, Conspectus of the Vascular Plants of Mongolia. Mongolia Academy of Sciences Institute of Botany and National University of Mongolia Department of Biology. p 33
• www.eFloras.org Flora of China