Gymnocarpium dryopteris – oak fern
Common Name
oak fern
Family
Cystopteridaceae
Scientific Name
Gymnocarpium dryopteris
Soil Moisture Regime (SMR)
- Medium (M)
- Wet (W)
Soil Nutrient Regime (SNR)
- Rich (R)
Source: Douglas, G.W. et al (Editors). 1998-2002. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia, Volumes 1 to 8. B.C. Min. Environ., Lands and Parks, and B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C. Copyright Province of British Columbia. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission of the Province of British Columbia.
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General / Habitat
- Small deciduous fern
- Moist forests and openings
- Low to subalpine elevations
Key Identifying Characteristics
- Form: Fronds nearly always solitary, but will often grow in dense patches of individuals, growing erect to 40 cm tall, rhizome somewhat scaly
- Leaves: Leaves bright green, stipe shiny and often brown, blades broadly forming a triangle with sides of equal length, 2-3 times pinnate, lowest leaflet pair triangular and asymmetrical
- Sori: circular, lacking indusium
Lookalikes
- Easiest to distinguish from other ferns by its nearly perfect triangular shape, small size, dark stipe, patchy growth habit, and the fact that the leaves are borne in a single plane parallel to the ground
Interesting Characteristics
- Despite common name, does not grow on or around oaks
External References
Sources
Douglas, G.W. et al (Editors). 1998-2002. Illustrated Flora of British Columbia, Volumes 1 to 8. B.C. Min. Environ., Lands and Parks, and B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C.
Pojar, J. and A. MacKinnon. 2014. Plants of Coastal British Columbia Including Washington, Oregon & Alaska. B.C. Ministry of Forestry and Lone Pine Publishing. Vancouver, B.C.