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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Dryopteris expansa is a FERN growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. The seeds ripen from July to September.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Root Shoots
Edible Uses:

Root - raw or cooked[256]. Baked and then peeled before being eaten[257]. The raw root is rather bitter but they develop a sweet taste when cooked and are said by some people to develop a flavour rather like sweet potatoes[256]. The root is best harvested in early autumn. At this time the rhizomes are surrounded by scaly, finger-like projections - if the projections are flat and dark inside then the rhizomes are not good to eat but if they are round, fleshy and light-coloured then they can be eaten[256]. The young shoots, harvested in spring before they have fully unfurled, can be cooked and eaten[257]. They can be added to soups[257].

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.
Anthelmintic Poultice

A poultice of the pounded roots has been applied to cuts[257]. We have no other reports for this species, but the following uses apply to many members of this genus and quite probably also to this species[K]. The root contains ‘filicin’, a substance that paralyses tapeworms and other internal parasites and has been used as a worm expellent[4, 172, 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. The root is also used in the treatment of dandruff[4, 172].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Hair

An infusion of the leaves has been used as a hair wash[257].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant[233], it prefers an acid to neutral soil, succeeding in ordinary fertile soil in a shady position[175, 200]. Prefers a moist soil[188]. Closely related to D. dilatata and hybridising where their ranges meet to produce D. x ambroseae. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant 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 Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Turkey NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada (Northwest Territories, Yukon, Québec, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta, British Columbia), Greenland, United States (Alaska, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington, Wyoming, California) EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Iceland, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France, Portugal

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 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 marginalis	Marginal Woodfern, Leather Wood Fern	Fern	0.8	3-8	M	LMH	S	M	0	4	0
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 expansa - (C.Presl.)Fraser-Jenkins&Jermy.