Dryopteris carthusiana aka Narrow Buckler Fern

Taxonomy

Dryopteris carthusiana, also known as the narrow buckler-fern in the United Kingdom and the spinulose woodfern in North America, is a species of fern found in damp forests throughout the Holarctic Kingdom. This tetraploid fern is a hybrid of Dryopteris intermedia, also called the intermediate wood fern, and an extinct species called Dryopteris semicristata. It is often mistaken for other wood fern species like D. intermedia, D. campyloptera, and D. expansa, but can be distinguished by the length of the innermost pinnule on the bottom side of the bottom pinna. While it shares its range with D. intermedia, D. carthusiana is sub-evergreen, surviving mild winters but dying back in harsh ones. Interestingly, it has the ability to grow in areas devoid of natural light by utilizing artificial light, as seen in places like Niagara Cave. This semi-evergreen fern forms clumps and has intricately dissected and finely toothed foliage, giving it a lacy appearance. Native to Europe, Asia, and North America, Dryopteris Filix-Mas, also known as the dry-OP-ter-iss, FY-liks mas, is a beautiful semi-evergreen wood fern in the Dryopteridaceae family. Its large triangular fronds are light green in color and can create a substantial clump.

Common names

Narrow Buckler Fern, Spinulose Wood Fern, Spinulose Woodfern, Narrow Spinulose Shield Fern

How to care for Narrow Buckler Fern

Difficulty

Narrow Buckler Fern is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal attention, making it an excellent choice for beginners.

Water

Narrow Buckler Fern should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Narrow Buckler Fern loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Narrow Buckler Fern prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

Ploi does not possess verified information regarding the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event that you, a member of your family, or a pet ingests plant material with an unclear toxicity level, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

The growth of Narrow Buckler Fern is gradual and it doesn't necessitate any additional fertilizers. Replacing the soil in its pot once a year should suffice to provide the plant with sufficient nutrition. It's important to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun's rays, not fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

The Narrow Buckler Fern is a clumping species, with new growth arising from the soil surrounding the parent plant.

Region of origin

Narrow Buckler Fern’s native range is Europe, including Britain, from Scandanavia south and east to Spain and Siberia. N. America..


More info:
Wikipedia