lady fern
Athyrium filix-femina
During the Victorian era, this species was a primary target of 'pteridomania' (fern madness), where collectors went to extreme lengths to gather wild ferns.
- Scientific name
- Athyrium filix-femina
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Polypodiopsida › Polypodiales › Athyriaceae › Athyrium
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Moist, shaded deciduous and coniferous forests, stream banks, and damp meadows.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis: utilizes sunlight, water, carbon dioxide, and soil minerals).
- Range
- North America, Europe, Asia, Central America
- Size
- Fronds grow 30 to 100 cm tall, forming dense circular clumps.
- Lifespan
- Perennial; individual rootstocks can survive for several decades.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Habitat fragmentation, severe droughts driven by climate change, and overgrazing by overpopulated deer populations.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless to touch. Safe to observe at any distance. Do not ingest raw fronds, as they contain mild toxins that can cause stomach upset; fiddleheads must be thoroughly cooked before consumption. If ingested raw and experiencing discomfort, consult a medical professional.
Athyrium filix-femina , the lady fern or common lady-fern , is a large, feathery species of fern native throughout most of the temperate Northern Hemisphere, where it is often abundant (one of the more common ferns) in damp, shady woodland environments and is often grown for decoration.
Photo: Ken-ichi Ueda, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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