Marginal Woodfern
Dryopteris marginalis
- Native to:
- Canada, Greenland, United States
iNaturalist: © annegp (iNaturalist #122409583)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Pteridophyta | - Ferns
- Family:
- Polypodiaceae
- Genus:
- Dryopteris
- Species:
- Dryopteris marginalis
- USDA Symbol:
- DRMA4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
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
golden ghost moth (Sthenopis auratus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers shaded forest floors
Propagation & Germination
- Notes:
- Ferns reproduce via spores, not seeds; spore germination is complex and requires moist, shaded conditions.
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