Broad Swamp Fern / Clinton's Wood Fern (Dryopteris clintoniana)

Overview

Broad Swamp Fern, or Clinton's Wood Fern (Dryopteris clintoniana), is a large, hybrid-origin fern of North American swamps, with broad, arching fronds.

Taxonomy

Description

Fronds are 80–120 cm long, bipinnate, broadly lanceolate, arching. Pinnae are wide, with toothed margins. Stipes have brown scales. The plant forms a substantial, vase-shaped clump.

Habitat and Cultivation

Found in swamps, wet woods, and stream banks. Requires constantly moist, rich soil in shade. Hardy in USDA zones 3–7. Excellent for rain gardens and naturalistic plantings.