Dryopteris filix-mas

Dryopteris filix-mas

Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pteridophyta
Class: Pteridopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Genus: Dryopteris
Species: D. filix-mas
Binomial name
Dryopteris filix-mas
(L.) Schott

Dryopteris filix-mas (male fern[1]) is a common fern of the temperate Northern Hemisphere, native to much of Europe, Asia, and North America. It favours damp shaded areas in the understory of woodlands, but also shady places on hedge-banks, rocks, and screes. It is much less abundant in North America than in Europe. The plant is sometimes referred to in ancient literature as worm fern.

Its specific epithet filix-mas means "male fern (filix "fern", mas "male")", as the plant was thought to be the male version of the female fern,[2] being robust in appearance and vigorous in growth.[3]

Description

19th century illustration

The semi-evergreen leaves have an upright habit and reach a maximum length of 150 cm (59 in), with a single crown on each rootstock. The bipinnate leaves consist of 20-35 pinnae on each side of the rachis. The leaves taper at both ends, with the basal pinnae about half the length of the middle pinnae. The pinules are rather blunt and equally lobed all around. The stalks are covered with orange-brown scales. On the abaxial surface of the mature blade 5 to 6 sori develop in two rows. When the spores ripen in August to November, the indusium starts to shrivel, leading to the release of the spores.

This species hybridises easily with Dryopteris affinis (scaly male fern) and Dryopteris oreades (mountain male fern).

Cultivation and uses

Numerous cultivars have been selected for garden use. The species [4] and the cultivar 'Cristata' have both gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5]

The root was used, until recent times, as an anthelmintic to expel tapeworms, but has been replaced by less toxic and more effective drugs. The anthelmintic activity has been claimed to be due to flavaspidic acid, a phloroglucinol derivative.

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References

  1. ↑ "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-02-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
  2. ↑ Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition, 2009: "C16: so called because it was formerly believed to be the male of the lady fern"
  3. ↑ Wayside and Woodland Blossoms (1895) by Edward Step: "the Male-fern - so-called by our fathers owing to its robust habit as compared with the tender grace of one they called Lady-fern."
  4. ↑ "Dryopteris filix-mas". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "Dryopteris filix-mas 'Cristata'". Royal Horticultural Society. Retrieved 25 July 2013.
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