The spinulose woodfern is an herbaceous perennial fern in the polypody family (Polypodiaceae). It is widespread across the northern hemisphere and occurs naturally, but uncommonly, in North Carolina. The species epithet is derived from the Latin name for the Chartreuse Mountains in the French Prealps and honors the place from whence this fern was first described. This fern is easy to grow and grows naturally in swamps and wet woods in full or partial shade. It grows well in organic loamy soil. It prefers moist, well-drained, acidic soil. It can be propagated by division or spores. This fern does well in moist woodlands, especially near streams. It would be a good choice for a native plant garden or a shade garden. VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington , Director of JC Raulston Arboretum . Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: This plant is relatively pest and disease free. More information on Dryopteris .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Erect, vase-shaped clump of glossy, dissected arching fronds; rhizome and stipe are light brown; blade is narrowly oval to triangular and bipinnate pinnatifid; has lower pairs of triangular pinnae; taper towards the tip; fronds turn yellow in fall; no glandular hair on blade.
Fall color
Gold/Yellow
Flower detail
No flowers.
Fruit detail
No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Temp. Northern Hemisphere
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Naturalized Area; Near Septic; Small Space; Woodland