Downy Maiden Fern

Thelypteris dentata

Native to:
Afghanistan, Andaman Is., Angola, Ascension, Australia, Azores, Bangladesh, Benin, Bismarck Archipelago, Burkina, Burundi, Cameroon, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Caroline Is., Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cook Is., DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Guam, Guinea, Gulf of Guinea Is., Hainan, India, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kenya, Kermadec Is., Korea, Kriti, Laccadive Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Liberia, Madagascar, Madeira, Malawi, Malaya, Mali, Maluku, Marianas, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, New Guinea, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norfolk Is., Northern Mariana Islands, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Réunion, Rodrigues, Rwanda, Santa Cruz Is., Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sicilia, Sierra Leone, Society Is., Socotra, Solomon Is., South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sulawesi, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tokelau-Manihiki, Tonga, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., Uganda, Unit

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Taxonomy

Division:
Pteridophyta | - Ferns
Family:
Aspleniaceae
Genus:
Thelypteris
Species:
Thelypteris dentata
USDA Symbol:
THDE4

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

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 or semi-shaded areas

Propagation & Germination

Notes:
Spores require moist, shaded conditions for germination; no pretreatment needed.