Dryopteris marginalis aka Marginal Fern

Dryopteris marginalis, also known as the marginal shield fern or marginal wood fern, is a perennial species of fern found in damp shady areas throughout eastern North America, ranging from Texas to Minnesota and Newfoundland. It thrives in moderately acid to circumneutral soils in cooler regions and exhibits good drought resistance once established. In warmer areas, it is commonly found on north-facing non-calcareous rock faces. This fern is adaptable to various altitudes, from high ledges to rocky slopes and stream banks. Its name originates from the placement of the sori on the margins or edges of the leaflets. This clump-forming evergreen fern has upright to arching fronds that are broadly ovate to triangular in shape, with a grey-green coloration. The fronds feature deeply lobed, lance-shaped leaflets or pinnae. Dryopteris marginalis is an evergreen fern native to Missouri, commonly referred to as the marginal shield fern. It forms a vase-shaped clump that typically reaches a height of 1.5-2' (occasionally up to 3'). This woodland fern is often found in shaded crevices of rocky ledges and bluffs. Its leathery fronds are grayish-green and deeply cut, measuring 15-20" in length. The sori are located at the edges or margins of the pinnule undersides, giving rise to the common name. The rhizome forms an erect crown, and the evergreen fronds provide visual interest during the winter months. The genus name is derived from the Greek words dryas, meaning oak, and pteris, meaning fern, referring to the presence of wood fern species in oak-populated woodland areas.