Marginal shieldfern is a North Carolina native, evergreen, perennial fern in the polypody family (Polypodiaceae). Its origin is Canada and the U.S.A. The epithet is Latin for “marginal” and references the location of the sori on the underside of the pinnae. This fern prefers moist, well-drained, humus, rich soil in partial to full shade with protection from the wind. It has a broad, erect crown densely covered with light brown scales. It produces a large, single crown and does not spread. It is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. The fern typically forms a vase-shaped clump up to 3 feet tall (but usually smaller). This is a woodland fern most often found in shaded crevices of rocky ledges and bluffs. Features grayish-green, deeply cut, leathery fronds (15 to 20 inches long). Sori are located at the edges or margins of the pinnule undersides, hence the common name, marginal. Its evergreen fronds provide good interest to the winter landscape. The marginal shieldfern can be grown in native, shade, and winter gardens. It can be used as an accent, for a border or in mass plantings. VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington , Director of JC Raulston Arboretum . 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
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
The fronds are bluish green to dull olive green arching in a vase shape. They rapidly taper to a point. The blade is lance-shaped, bipinnate to bipinnate-pinnatified and leathery. The pinna are lance-shaped and rapidly taper to a point. The pinnules are heavy veined and have a blunt tip. The sori are located very near the margin of the pinnules. The stipe is one fourth to one third the frond length. The stipe is swollen at base and covered with golden brown scales. Provides winter interest.
Flower detail
No flowers.
Fruit detail
No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Greenland, Canada to U.S.A
Wildlife value
It provides year-round cover near the ground. Deer will browse the plant. Its parts are used in songbird nest construction.