Tried and True Native Plant Selection for the Mid-Atlantic
Found* in woodlands and on rocky slopes and ledges, evergreen Marginal Wood Fern provides year round interest. It is monomorphic so its fronds (leaves) are the same size and shape, whether or not the leaf underside bears sori, the spore-producing receptacles. Sori placement along the pinnule margins give rise to the species epithet and common name.
*It is native to DC. In DE, it is uncommon in the Piedmont and extremely rare in the Coastal Plain. It is reported mostly in MD’s northern and western counties and is scattered throughout PA. In VA, it is common in the mountains and inner Piedmont, infrequent in the outer Piedmont, and rare in the Coastal Plain. You can view the VA counties in which it has been reported here.
Learn more about Dryopteris marginalis.
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