Taxonomy

Division:

Pteridophyta | - Ferns

Family:

Dennstaedtiaceae

Genus:

Dennstaedtia

Species:

Dennstaedtia punctilobula

USDA Symbol:

DEPU2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Growth Habit:

Forb/herb

Height:

90 cm

Light Requirements:

Part Shade,Shade

Drought Tolerance:

Medium

Ground Cover:

Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:

★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:

★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

small mammals, ground-nesting birds

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Fragrant:

Yes

Fall Color:

yellow, bronze

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Spreads aggressively via rhizomes after fire or disturbance; often colonizes burned or cleared areas.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

rich, well-drained loamy soil

pH:

4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

thrives in forest understory with leaf litter

Propagation & Germination