Botanic Garden >> Gardening > >> Houseplants >> Plants for Details >> Ferns

Mexican Male Fern (Dryopteris pseudofilix-mas)

Mexican Male Fern
Frond detail
Clump
Habitat

Overview

The Mexican Male Fern (Dryopteris pseudofilix-mas) is a robust, semi-evergreen fern native to Mexico and Central America. It resembles the common Male Fern but is adapted to warmer climates.

Taxonomy

Family:	Dryopteridaceae
Genus:	Dryopteris (dry-OP-ter-iss)
Species:	pseudofilix-mas (soo-do-FY-liks mas)

Description

Fronds are erect, up to 1 m long, bipinnate, with lanceolate pinnae. The stipes are covered with brown scales. Sori are round, covered by a kidney-shaped indusium.

Habitat and Cultivation

Prefers moist, well-drained soil in partial to full shade. Tolerates more heat and sun than many Dryopteris species. Hardy in USDA zones 7–10. Use in woodland gardens or as a specimen plant.

Ferns: Walking Fern (Asplenium rhizophyllum): Unique Fern That "Walks" Across Rocks; Log Fern (Dryopteris celsa): Tall, Hybrid Wood Fern for Moist Shade; Woodwardia unigemmata: Chain Fern; Pyrrosia hastata: Felt Fern; Dryopteris filix-mas 'Undulata Robusta': Robust Male Fern; Adder's-tongue Fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum); Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas); Basket Fern (Drynaria rigidula); Licorice Fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza); Japanese Brake Fern (Pteris nipponica): Elegant Variegated Fern for Shade

Garden Articles

Male Bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus): Solid-Culmed Tropical Clumper for Timber

Mexican Buckeye (Ungnadia speciosa): Spring Pink Blooms in Arid Lands

Staghorn Fern (Platycerium wallichii)

Fragile Fern (Cystopteris protrusa)

Swamp Fern (Blechnum serrulatum)

Cheilanthes sieberi: Mulga Fern

Crown Fern (Blechnum discolor): Distinctive New Zealand Fern

Plants

Fern Tree (Filicium decipiens): Graceful Shade for Tropics

Dixie Wood Fern (Dryopteris × australis): Robust Hybrid Fern for Southern Gardens

Bladder Fern / Bulblet Fern (Cystopteris bulbifera): Delicate Fern with Bulblets for Easy Propagation

Cibotium schiedei: Mexican Tree Fern

Thelypteris decursive-pinnata: Japanese Beech Fern

Woodwardia radicans: European Chain Fern

Polystichum setiferum: Soft Shield Fern