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Dryopteris celsa
Log Fern

Photo by James Emery

Log fern is a fertile, naturally occurring, semi-evergreen hybrid between D. ludoviciana (Southern Shield Fern) and D. goldiana (Goldie’s Wood Fern) with a range in central, eastern and southeastern U.S. Log fern grows rapidly with wide, shiny, deeply cut, dark green fronds and dark stripes along the central rib. The sori, the spore-producing structures, are round and are found in a single row on either side of the midrib of the fertile pinnae. One of Log Fern’s best features is its vigor. Growing to about 4′ (“celsa” means elevated, lofty, erect), Log Fern will thrive in bright shade and prefers soil with high organic matter that is not too dry. It is often seen growing in rotten logs in the woods, hence its common name. In the garden, Log Fern is trouble-free and dependable and contrasts beautifully with its more finely textured neighbors there.

Last Updated: May 20, 2019

Key Info

Scientific Name: Dryopteris celsa (Wm. Palmer) Knowlt., Palmer & Pollard ex Small
Common Names: Log Fern
Family Name: Dryopteridaceae (Wood Fern Family)
Plant Type: Fern, Groundcover
Uses: Woodland Garden, Specimen, Shady perennial border, Container
Light Requirement: Dappled sun, Full shade-bright, Partial/shady
Moisture Requirement: Wet, Medium, Moist well drained
Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen
Bloom Times: n/a
Flower Color: n/a
Special Characteristics: Deer resistant, Tolerates shade, Evergreen

Additional Info

Habit: Upright, clump-forming fern with shiny, triangular, coarse, dark green fronds; short-rhizomatous.
Height: 3'-4'
Spread: 1'-2'
Growth Rate: Fast
Soil Conditions: Prefers rich, moist, humusy acidic to circumneutral soils especialy in brighter locations.
Leaves: Leaves are large, coarse, dark green, ovate-lanceolate in shape, 1' wide, pinnately compound, semi-evergreen fronds. They are strongly vertical and taper gracefully to their sharp tips. The petiole is 1/3 of the total length of the frond.
Flowers (or reproductive structures): Log Fern reproduces by spores. The sori, the spore-producing structures, are round and are found in a single row midway between midvein and margin of the fertile pinnae.
Fruit: reproduces via spores
Natural Distribution: Typically found in moist woods and swamps, often found growing in rotten logs; hence the name
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: OBL (FAC near coast)
Pollination: n/a
Wildlife Connections: Tolerates rabbits, provides cover for toads and lizards, salamanders and other small critters.
Downside: Fern foliage is susceptible to wind damage and should be sited accordingly.
Propagation: By division or from spores.
USDA/NRCS Plant Distribution Map: View Map at USDA.gov

Availability

This plant is not currently available.

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Cure Nursery is a small nursery propagating and selling native plants for the Southeastern U.S. We are located near the town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, in central NC.

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