Dryopteris celsa (W. Palmer) Knowlt., T.S. Palmer & Pollard ex Small

Log Fern

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Log Fern is a semi-evergreen native perennial fern in the Wood Fern family (Dryopteridaceae). It occurs in scattered locations across Alabama. Log Fern grows around lime sinks and caves, along small to medium sized streams, and in rich hardwood forest often near limestone. It is a perennial from a creeping rhizome. The leaves (fronds) are not dimorphic (of two shapes). The leaves are ovate-lanceolate in outline, lack glands, and pinnate-pinnatifid. The pinnae are lanceolate-ovate in outline with crenate margins. The lower portion of the rachis (stalk of the leaf) is covered in papery scales. These scales are dark brown in color. Log Fern reproduces by forming spores in sporangia. The sporangia are grouped in round clusters (sori) on the under side of the leaf. The sori are located about half way between the midvein and the margin of the pinna. The sori are covered by an umbrella shaped indusium. Dryopteris celsa is a fertile hybrid that resulted from the cross of Goldie's Wood Fern (Dryopteris goldiana (Hooker ex Goldie) A. Gray) and Southern Wood Fern (Dryopteris ludoviciana (Kunze) Small). It is listed as an S2 species in Alabama (typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals, acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in the state.). Log Fern is occasionally available from some native plant nurseries. It requires a moist organic soil and full to partial shade.--A. Diamond

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Native FAC+ (NWPL) S2 (State Rank) G4 (Global Rank)

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