Intermediate Woodfern
Dryopteris intermedia
- Native to:
- Azores, Canada, Madeira, Prince Edward I., United States
iNaturalist: © eraskin (iNaturalist #6523939)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Pteridophyta | - Ferns
- Family:
- Polypodiaceae
- Genus:
- Dryopteris
- Species:
- Dryopteris intermedia
- USDA Symbol:
- DRIN5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- small mammals, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.0 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- thrives in forest understory with leaf litter
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Ferns reproduce via spores, not seeds; spore germination requires moist, shaded conditions and produces a prothallus stage before mature fern develops.
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI