Dryopteris erythrosora aka Autumn Fern

Taxonomy

Dryopteris erythrosora, also known as the autumn fern, Japanese shield fern, or copper shield fern, is a semi-evergreen species of fern that is native to east Asia. It can be found growing in light woodland shade on low mountains or hills from China and Japan south to the Philippines. The fronds of Dryopteris erythrosora are bipinnate and can grow up to 70 cm tall and 35 cm wide, with 8-20 pairs of pinnae. The leaves are funnel-shaped, triangular in shape, and pointy, with narrow lanceolate individual leaflets. The top leaves are leathery and shiny and divided twice. The edge of the leaves is almost completely sown up. The name "erythrosora" comes from the ancient Greek word meaning "having red spore cases," which refers to the color of the spore cases. When young, the fronds have a coppery tint, but mature to dark green. Autumn Fern is a popular houseplant that is easy to grow and likes well-draining soil. It needs regular watering and should be placed in long-lasting, direct light less than 1 foot from a window. This fern is often raised as an ornamental plant in gardens because of its color-changing foliage, which changes from dark red to dark green, but not very often.

Common names

Autumn Fern, Japanese Shield Fern, Buckler Fern

How to care for Autumn Fern

Difficulty

Are you up for a challenge? Autumn Fern will test your gardening skills and require extra care and attention to thrive.

Water

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

Soil

Autumn 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 Autumn 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's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.

Fertilizer

The growth of Autumn Fern is not rapid and it doesn't necessitate any extra fertilization. By replacing its potting soil once a year, it should receive ample nutrition. It is important to note that plants obtain their energy from the sun's rays, not from fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

The Autumn Fern is clumping in nature, with new growth originating from the soil in close proximity to the original plant.


More info:
Wikipedia