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Dryopteris marginalis - (L.)A.Gray.

Common Name Marginal Woodfern, Leather Wood Fern
Family Dryopteridaceae
USDA hardiness 3-8
Known Hazards Although we have found no reports for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[200]. The fresh plant contains thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[172]. However, there have been reports for other species of ferns suggesting that even cooked fronds can have a long term harmful effect. Some caution is therefore advised.
Habitats Damp woods and swamps[187]. Rocky, wooded slopes and ravines, edges of woods, stream banks and roadbanks, and rock walls at elevations of 50 - 1500 metres[270].
Range N. America - Canada to Georgia and westwards to the Rockies.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (4 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade
Dryopteris marginalis Marginal Woodfern, Leather Wood Fern


http://www.flickr.com/photos/28340342@N08/2979952446
Dryopteris marginalis Marginal Woodfern, Leather Wood Fern

 

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Summary

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


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of fern
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

Plant 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

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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

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Fahrenheit:

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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).

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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

NORTHERN AMERICA: Greenland (southeast), Canada, Québec, Nova Scotia, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, United States, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa (east), Kansas (east), Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Alabama (north), Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia (north), Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina (west), South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia,

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 it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Dryopteris barbigera Fern0.0 -  LMHSM04 
Dryopteris blandfordii Fern0.0 -  LMHSM04 
Dryopteris carthusianaNarrow Buckler Fern, Spinulose woodfernFern1.0 6-8 MLMHSMWe242
Dryopteris crassirhizomaCrown Wood-FernFern1.0 5-9  LMHSM14 
Dryopteris cristataCrested Wood FernFern0.5 4-8  LMHSM04 
Dryopteris dilatataShield FernFern1.2 4-8  LMHSM243
Dryopteris expansaSpiny Wood Fern, Spreading woodfernFern0.4 3-7  LMHFSM231
Dryopteris filix-masMale FernFern1.2 3-8 MLMHSDM243
Dryopteris fragransFragrant WoodfernFern0.2 3-7  LMHSM101
Dryopteris odontoloma Fern0.0 -  LMHSM04 
Dryopteris oreadesMountain Male FernFern0.6 5-9  LMHSM04 
Dryopteris schimperiana Fern0.0 -  LMHSM04 
Dryopteris sieboldii Fern0.5 7-10  LMHSM10 
Gymnocarpium dryopterisNorthern oak fernFern0.3 2-7 SLMFSMWe003

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.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)A.Gray.

Botanical References

200270

Links / References

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