Connecticut Plants
Intermediate Woodfern (Fancy Fern, Evergreen Woodfern)
Dryopteris intermedia (Muhl. ex Willd.) Gray
  • Synonyms: Dryopteris spinulosa (O.F. Müll.) Watt var. intermedia (Muhl. ex Willd.) Underw.
  • Family: woodfern (Dryopteridaceae)
  • Habitat: moist, rich woods
  • Height: fronds 2-3 feet long
  • Location of spores: undersides of fronds (see third image below)
  • Petiole (leaf stalk): green with tan scales
  • Growth pattern: symmetric clump
  • Persistence: evergreen
  • Origin: native
Dryopteris intermedia (Muhl. ex Willd.) Gray
Dryopteris intermedia (Muhl. ex Willd.) Gray
Dryopteris intermedia (Muhl. ex Willd.) Gray

Underside of a frond, showing the sori (spore-bearing dots).

Dryopteris intermedia (Muhl. ex Willd.) Gray

Intermediate woodfern remains green all winter.