Maidenhair Fern

Description:

The fronds grow to 15-110 cm high, and are fan-shaped, light to medium green with dark brown to black stems. It is deciduous. It prefers fertile, moist soil in rock crevices near streams, from sea level in the north of its range, up to 3,200 m altitude in the south of its range. It tolerates serpentinite rock well, and is confined to this mineral-rich rock in some areas. Other common names include serpentine maidenhair and five-fingered fern.

Habitat:

Shady, moist soils or rocky sites on stream banks and in the spray zone of waterfalls. Range: Pacific Northwest, Alaska, Canada, and New England

Notes:

The maidenhair fern is one of my favorite ferns. Its shape is so unique!