Plant Data Sheet
Spreading Wood Fern
Photographer: Sue R. Crispin
Dryopteris expansa
Range
Climate, elevation
Cool moist woods and rocky
slopes. Hardy to an annual minimum average temperature of
-40ºF.
Local occurrence
Rare. Usually found in rocky ground or woods.
Habitat preferences
Woods, hedgebanks, wet heaths, shady rock ledges and crevices. Shade to bright shade. Does well in woodlands or next to a stream or pond. It prefers cool, moist redwood and mixed evergreen forests, often growing on rotting logs, tree stumps and rocky slopes. As a riparian plant, it is associated with stream banks.
Plant strategy type/successional stage (stress-tolerator,
competitor, weedy/colonizer, seral, late
successional)
Associated species
One of the parents of D. campyloptera
Collection restrictions or
guidelines
The raw root is rather bitter but they develop a sweet taste
when cooked and are said by some people to develop a flavor rather like sweet
potatoes. The root is best harvested in early autumn. At this time the rhizomes
are surrounded by scaly, finger-like projections - if the projections are flat
and dark inside then the rhizomes are not good to eat but if they are round,
fleshy and light-colored then they can be eaten. The young shoots, harvested in
spring before they have fully unfurled, can be cooked and eaten. They can be
added to soups.
Propagation recommendations
(plant seeds, vegetative parts, cuttings, etc.)
Spores - can be sown at any time of the year in a greenhouse.
Surface sow on a sterilized compost and keep moist, possibly by placing the pot
in a plastic bag. Germinates in 1 - 3 months at 20°c.
Pot up small clumps of the plants when they are large enough to handle and grow
on in a shady part of the greenhouse until large enough to plant out. Division in spring. Larger clumps can be replanted direct
into their permanent positions, though it is best to pot up smaller clumps and
grow them on in a cold frame until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the
spring.
Soil or medium requirements
It prefers moist, acidic and neutral soil and does well in sand, loam and clay.
Sources cited
7.
Data compiled by Robert
Franco 4/13/06