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Dryopteris is a genus of about 150 species of ferns with distribution in the temperate northern hemisphere. Many ferns of this genus have stout, slowly-creeping rootstocks that form a crown, with a vase-like ring of fronds. The sori are round, with a peltate indusium. The stipes have prominent scales.

Hybridization is a well-known phenomenon within this group, with many species are formed by hybridization.

Many Dryopteris species are highly desired as garden ornamentals, especially the following:

• D. erythrosa - autumn fern, often sold in garden outlets
• D. filix-mas - a very popular garden fern in the British Isles and Europe, with very many cultivars

Dryopteris filix-mas was throughout much of recent human history widely used as a vermifuge, and was the only fern listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia.

Selected species and their common names

• Dryopteris aemula - Hay-scented Buckler Fern
• Dryopteris affinis - Scaly Male Fern
• Dryopteris campyloptera - Mountain Wood Fern
• Dryopteris carthusiana - Narrow Buckler Fern
• Dryopteris celsa - Log Fern
• Dryopteris clintoniana - Clinton's Wood Fern
• Dryopteris cristata - Crested Buckler Fern
• Dryopteris dilatata - Broad Buckler Fern
• Dryopteris erythrosa - Autumn Fern
• Dryopteris expansa - Northern Buckler Fern
• Dryopteris filix-mas - Male Fern
• Dryopteris fragrans - Fragrant Buckler Fern
• Dryopteris goldiana - Goldie's Wood Fern
• Dryopteris intermedia - Intermediate Wood Fern
• Dryopteris ludoviciana - Southern Wood Fern
• Dryopteris marginalis - Marginal or Evergreen Wood Fern
• Dryopteris oreades - Mountain Male Fern
• Dryopteris submontana - Rigid Buckler Fern

External link

• Drypopteris details