Ferns in North Carolina

by Jeffrey S. Pippen | Jeff's Plant Pages | Jeff's Butterfly Pages | Jeff's Nature Pages

Ferns are not flowering plants. They reproduce using spores that are may be found in clusters (called "sori") on the undersides, topsides, or margins of leaves. Other ferns produce whole fronds dedicated entirely to reproduction.

American Climbing Fern (Lygodium palmatum) American Climbing Fern (Lygodium palmatum)
Transylvania Co., NC
9 Sep 2012

Uncommon to rare but statewide in North Carolina

American Climbing Fern (Lygodium palmatum) American Climbing Fern (Lygodium palmatum)
Transylvania Co., NC
9 Sep 2012

American Climbing Fern (Lygodium palmatum) American Climbing Fern (Lygodium palmatum)
Transylvania Co., NC
9 Sep 2012


Virgina Chainfern (Woodwardia virginica) Virgina Chainfern (Woodwardia virginica)
Pender Co., NC
13 Sep 2009

Widespread and common in moist soils to standing watern in North Carolina.

Virgina Chainfern (Woodwardia virginica) Virgina Chainfern (Woodwardia virginica)
Pender Co., NC
13 Sep 2009

Virgina Chainfern (Woodwardia virginica) Virgina Chainfern (Woodwardia virginica)
Pender Co., NC
13 Sep 2009

The leaves have a beautiful vennation pattern.

Virgina Chainfern (Woodwardia virginica) Virgina Chainfern (Woodwardia virginica)
Pender Co., NC
13 Sep 2009

Distinctive chains of sori.

Virgina Chainfern (Woodwardia virginica) Virgina Chainfern (Woodwardia virginica)
Pender Co., NC
13 Sep 2009


Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) Cinnamon Fern (Osmunda cinnamomea)
Pender Co., NC 4/23/2006

Common statewide in NC in wet soils. The cinnamon-colored stalks in the middle are the reproductive "leaves". This species has recently been moved to the genus Osmundastrum and is now Osmundastrum cinnamomeum.


Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis)
Cumberland Co., NC 6/4/2004

Statewide in NC in moist woods, swamps, marshes, etc.

Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis)
Cumberland Co., NC 6/4/2004
Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis) Royal Fern (Osmunda regalis)
Cumberland Co., NC 6/4/2004

Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytonia) Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytonia)
Clay Co., NC
13 May 2006

Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytonia) Interrupted Fern (Osmunda claytonia)
Clay Co., NC
13 May 2006


Long Beechfern, Northern Beech Fern (Phegopteris connectilis) Long Beechfern, Northern Beech Fern (Phegopteris connectilis)
Macon Co., NC
15 May 2005

Rare in NC, Long Beechfern was formerly classified as Thelypteris phegopteris. In North Carolina it grows on rocks near seeps and behind waterfalls in the mountains.


#2275
perhaps Botrychium sp.
Jones Co., NC
21 Oct 2007
#2275
perhaps Botrychium sp.
Jones Co., NC
21 Oct 2007

Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides) Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides ssp. michauxiana)
Orange Co., NC
5 Mar 2008

Green and healthy looking when hydrated, this fern rapidly withers and appears dead when conditions turn dry. After a good rain, it greens back up again!

Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides) Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides ssp. michauxiana)
Orange Co., NC
15 Mar 2008

Common statewide in North Carolina growing on rocks and tree trunks and branches, here is a mix of hydrated and dessicated fronds.

Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides) Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis polypodioides ssp. michauxiana)
Orange Co., NC
15 Mar 2008

Formerly classified as Polypodium polypodioides, the plants appear dead when dry. However, they will rebound "back to life" with the next rain!


Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)
Wilkes Co., NC
24 Aug 2016

Found statewide in various higher pH moist soils but common only in the mountains.

Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)
Wilkes Co., NC
24 Aug 2016
Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum)
Wilkes Co., NC
24 Aug 2016

Silvery Spleenwort, Silvery Glade Fern (Deparia acrostichoides) Silvery Spleenwort, Silvery Glade Fern (Deparia acrostichoides)
Wilkes Co., NC
24 Aug 2016

Grows in moist forests in North Carolina. It's rare in the coastal plain and common in the mountains.

Silvery Spleenwort, Silvery Glade Fern (Deparia acrostichoides) Silvery Spleenwort, Silvery Glade Fern (Deparia acrostichoides)
Wilkes Co., NC
24 Aug 2016
Silvery Spleenwort, Silvery Glade Fern (Deparia acrostichoides) Silvery Spleenwort, Silvery Glade Fern (Deparia acrostichoides)
Wilkes Co., NC
24 Aug 2016

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Created on ... April 26, 2006 | jeffpippen9@gmail.com