Alpine Ladyfern
Athyrium americanum
- Native to:
- Canada, Greenland, Kuril Is., Labrador, Russia, United States
brewbooks (www.flickr.com) from near Seattle, USA
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Pteridophyta | - Ferns
- Family:
- Aspleniaceae
- Genus:
- Athyrium
- Species:
- Athyrium americanum
- USDA Symbol:
- ATAM
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- cover for small animals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers shaded, forested environments
Propagation & Germination
Pre-treatment: Collect spores and surface sow in sterilized flats filled with sterile, finely milled sphagnum peat moss. Water with distilled water and seal flats with clear plastic wrap. Place under 60 watt soft incandescent lights set at 12 hour per day illumination.
Establishment: Spore bearing fronds are collected in late August. Sporophytes are transplanted into 4.5" pots and 1 gallon containers. The species is circumboreal, occurring at mid to high montane elevations, often near timberline, in rocky slopes and stream borders.
Source: npn.rngr.net