Translate this page:

Summary

Form: Irregular or sprawling, Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect.

Physical Characteristics

Dryopteris marginalis is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.3 m (1ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4. It is in leaf all year.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antirheumatic Odontalgic Vermifuge

The root contains ‘filicin’, a substance that paralyses tapeworms and other internal parasites and has been used as a worm expellent[171, 238]. It is one of the most effective treatments known for tapeworms - its use should be immediately followed by a non-oily purgative such as magnesium sulphate in order to expel the worms from the body[238]. An oily purge, such as caster oil, increases the absorption of the fern root and can be dangerous[238]. The root is harvested in the autumn and can be dried for later use, it should not be stored for longer than 12 months[238]. This remedy should be used with caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner[238]. The root is toxic and the dosage is critical[238]. See also the notes above on toxicity. An infusion of the root has been used in the treatment of rheumatism[257]. A warm infusion, held in the mouth, has been used to treat toothaches[257].

References More on Medicinal Uses

Now available: PLANTS FOR YOUR FOOD FOREST: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens.

An important new book from PFAF. It focuses on the attributes of plants suitable for food forests, what each can contribute to a food forest ecosystem, including carbon sequestration, and the kinds of foods they yield. The book suggests that community and small-scale food forests can provide a real alternative to intensive industrialised agriculture, and help to combat the many inter-related environmental crises that threaten the very future of life on Earth.

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Food Forest

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Container, Ground cover, Specimen, Woodland garden. Prefers an acid to neutral soil, succeeding in ordinary fertile soil in a shady position. Succeeds in full sun but grows best in a shady position with only 2 - 3 hours sun per day[200]. Tolerates a pH range from 4.5 to 7[200]. Dislikes heavy clay. Prefers a good supply of water at its roots but succeeds in dry shade and tolerates drought when it is established. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -30°c[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Hybridizes in the wild with several other species[187]. Special Features: Attractive foliage, North American native, Wetlands plant, There are no flowers or blooms. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. An evergreen. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length [1-2].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Celsius Fahrenheit:

The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

Shop Now

Propagation

Spores - can be sown at any time of the year in a greenhouse. Surface sow on a sterilised compost and keep moist, possibly by placing the pot in a plastic bag. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c. Pot up small clumps of the plants when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a shady part of the greenhouse until large enough to plant out. Division in spring. Larger clumps can be replanted direct into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Dryopteris barbigera		Fern	0.0	-		LMH	S	M	0	4
Dryopteris blandfordii		Fern	0.0	-		LMH	S	M	0	4
Dryopteris carthusiana	Narrow Buckler Fern, Spinulose woodfern	Fern	1.0	6-8	M	LMH	S	MWe	2	4	2
Dryopteris crassirhizoma	Crown Wood-Fern	Fern	1.0	5-9		LMH	S	M	1	4
Dryopteris cristata	Crested Wood Fern	Fern	0.5	4-8		LMH	S	M	0	4
Dryopteris dilatata	Shield Fern	Fern	1.2	4-8		LMH	S	M	2	4	3
Dryopteris expansa	Spiny Wood Fern, Spreading woodfern	Fern	0.4	3-7		LMH	FS	M	2	3	1
Dryopteris filix-mas	Male Fern	Fern	1.2	3-8	M	LMH	S	DM	2	4	3
Dryopteris fragrans	Fragrant Woodfern	Fern	0.2	3-7		LMH	S	M	1	0	1
Dryopteris odontoloma		Fern	0.0	-		LMH	S	M	0	4
Dryopteris oreades	Mountain Male Fern	Fern	0.6	5-9		LMH	S	M	0	4
Dryopteris schimperiana		Fern	0.0	-		LMH	S	M	0	4
Dryopteris sieboldii		Fern	0.5	7-10		LMH	S	M	1	0
Gymnocarpium dryopteris	Northern oak fern	Fern	0.3	2-7	S	LM	FS	MWe	0	0	3

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Dryopteris marginalis - (L.)A.Gray.