Amauropelta noveboracensis (L.) A.R. Sm. & S.E. Fawc.

New York Fern

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

New York Fern is a native herbaceous perennial in the Marsh Fern family (Thelypteridaceae). In is found primarily in the northern half of the state. New York Fern occurs in moist woods, near swamps, along streams, and in forest gaps. It is a perennial with a long creeping rhizome and deciduous leaves. The leaves (fronds) are erect to arching, elliptic in outline, broadest near the middle, and tapering towards each end. The pinnae are deeply pinnatifid and the petiole is straw colored with ovate, glabrous, brown scales toward the base. The pinna lobes are entire to crenulate, with the basal veins from adjacent segments meeting above the sinus. The leaf is pubescent on the veins, rachis, and costae. New York Fern reproduces by forming spores. The spores are produced in sporangia that are grouped together in clusters known as sori. The sori are located on the lower surface of the frond. The sori are covered with a round, pubescent flap of tissue known as the indusium. New York Fern is sometimes available from nurseries. It prefers a moist, rich soil in full to partial shade. It makes a good addition to a woodland garden or naturalized area where it can fill in gaps when spring wildflowers fade. It can sometimes become “weedy”. The distinctive fronds of this species taper towards each end and the common name is derived from the observation that New Yorkers "burn the candle at both ends".—A. Diamond.

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Native

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