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The Society
Connecticut Plants
Oak Fern
Gymnocarpium dryopteris
Oak fern is easily identified by its delicate, triangular fronds, which are usually held nearly horizontal.
- Family: cliff fern (Woodsiaceae)
- Habitat: cool, moist woods in rocky, slightly acidic soil
- Height: 5-8 inches
- Location of spores: undersides of fronds
- Petiole (leaf stalk): green to brown; nearly black at the base; slender and delicate with few scales
- Growth pattern: random
- Persistence: deciduous
- Origin: native
