Translate this page:

Summary

Physical Characteristics

Dennstaedtia punctilobula is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Aspidium punctilobum (Michx.) Sw. D. punctilobula f. punctilobula. Nephrodium punctilobum Michx. Sitobolium punctilobum (Michx.) Desv.

Plant Habitats

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.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Edible Tropical Plants

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

Edible Temperate Plants

Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital media.

More Books

PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.

Shop Now

Other Uses

Groundcover: Works well as a groundcover for shaded areas. Grows with a low to medium coverage density, but will quickly take over large areas and isn't advised for small gardens. Wildlife Habitat: ay scented fern provides good cover for wildlife when growing in large colonies. Ornamental: Lacy triangular fronds. Light green during summer turning shades of yellow/copper during autumn. Aromatics/Fragrance: The fronds emit a scent reminiscent of hay or cut grass when they are brushed, bruised, or crushed [318-1]. A good fern for naturalizing in woodland areas, shade gardens, cottage gardens or wild areas [368-1].

Special Uses

Food Forest Ground Cover

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A temperate fern. Sun: Partial Shade, Shade. Soil Type: Sandy, Loamy, Silty, Clay. Tolerates a wide range of soils, including poor rocky soils and, once well established, dry soils [368-1]. Soil pH: 4.5 - 6.8. Soil Moisture: Moderate, Dry. Grows best in rich, humus soils. Can tolerate full sun if given enough moisture. Spreads aggressively. One of the first ferns to colonize after fire. Growth Rate: Fast. Life Span: Long-Lived Perennial. Stand Persistence: Long. Form: Clump. Texture: Medium. Root Type: Rhizome. Fungal Types: Endomycorrhizal. Seasonal Interest: Spring-Summer. USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 - 8. Drought: Tolerant. Flood: Moderate. Salt: Moderate. Soil Compaction: Tolerant. Mowing: Intolerant. Fire Damage: Moderate. Cold Injury: Infrequent. Wind Storm Damage: Infrequent. Disease Issues: Minor. Insect/Pest Damage: Minor. Animal Damage: Deer, Rabbits [318-1]. In this ecological community, you'll typically see Hay-scented Ferns growing among wildflowers such as goldenrods, hawkweeds, dandelions, Oldfield Cinquefoil, Common Evening Primrose, Field Chickweed, New England Aster, and Queen Anne's Lace. 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. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons [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,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

Shop Now

Plant Propagation

Propagate by spores or rhizome division. Cut rhizomes between fronds, set apart and trim back at least half of each frond.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Eastern hayscented fern, Hay-scented fern

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

USA

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.

Quickly take over large areas and isn't advised for small gardens.

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

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.

Dennstaedtia punctilobula - (Michx.) T. Moore