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Shield Fern / Hondo Fern (Dryopteris hondoensis)

Shield Fern

Overview

Shield Fern (Dryopteris hondoensis) is a Japanese fern with sturdy, evergreen fronds and a compact habit. It is a parent of several hybrid cultivars.

Taxonomy

Family:	Dryopteridaceae
Genus:	Dryopteris (dry-OP-ter-iss)
Species:	hondoensis (hon-doh-EN-sis)

Description

Fronds are 40–60 cm long, bipinnate, with leathery, dark green pinnae. Stipes have brown scales. Sori are round with kidney-shaped indusium. Forms a neat, vase-shaped clump.

Habitat and Cultivation

Native to Japanese forests. Prefers moist, well-drained soil in shade. Hardy in USDA zones 5–8. Good for woodland gardens and as a species plant.

Ferns: Walking Fern (Asplenium rhizophyllum): Unique Fern That "Walks" Across Rocks; Log Fern (Dryopteris celsa): Tall, Hybrid Wood Fern for Moist Shade; Polystichum setiferum: Soft Shield Fern; Woodwardia unigemmata: Chain Fern; Pyrrosia hastata: Felt Fern; Adder's-tongue Fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum); Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas); Shield Fern / Hondo Fern (Dryopteris hondoensis); Hard Shield Fern (Polystichum aculeatum): Classic Woodland Fern; Japanese Brake Fern (Pteris nipponica): Elegant Variegated Fern for Shade

Garden Articles

Basket Fern (Drynaria rigidula)

Licorice Fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza)

Staghorn Fern (Platycerium wallichii)

Fragile Fern (Cystopteris protrusa)

Swamp Fern (Blechnum serrulatum)

Soft Shield Fern 'Congestum Cristatum' (Polystichum setiferum 'Congestum Cristatum')

Cheilanthes sieberi: Mulga Fern

Plants

Fern Tree (Filicium decipiens): Graceful Shade for Tropics

East Indian Holly Fern (Arachniodes simplicior 'Variegata'): Glossy, Variegated Fern for Deep Shade

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

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

Thelypteris decursive-pinnata: Japanese Beech Fern

Crown Fern (Blechnum discolor): Distinctive New Zealand Fern

Persian Shield (Strobilanthes dyerianus): Iridescent Foliage for Shade