Dryopteris erythrosora

Dryopteris erythrosora
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pteridophyta
Class:	Pteridopsida
Order:	Polypodiales
Family:	Dryopteridaceae
Genus:	Dryopteris
Species:	D. erythrosora
Binomial name
Dryopteris erythrosora (D.C.Eaton) Kuntze

Dryopteris erythrosora close up

Dryopteris erythrosora (autumn fern, Japanese wood fern, copper shield fern) is a species of fern in the family Dryopteridaceae, native to east Asia from China and Japan south to the Philippines, growing in light woodland shade on low mountains or hills. It is semi-evergreen, with bipinnate fronds 30–70 cm (12–28 in) tall by 15–35 cm (6–14 in) broad, with 8-20 pairs of pinnae. The fronds have a coppery tint when young, but mature to dark green.^[1]

The Latin specific epithet erythrosora means "having red spore cases".^[2]

Cultivation

D. erythrosora can tolerate a drier soil than many ferns, but is most successful in moist, humus-rich soil, with a pH range of 6.1 to 7.5, with morning or late afternoon sunshine but not during the middle of the day. It is hardy zones 5 to 11. Numerous cultivars have been selected, including 'Prolifica' and 'Viridosora'. Propagation is by division in spring, separating the small crowns from the larger crowns, or by spores.

Dryopteris erythrosora^[3] has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

References

1. RHS A-Z encyclopedia of garden plants. United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. 2008. p. 1136. ISBN 1405332964.
2. Harrison, Lorraine (2012). RHS Latin for gardeners. United Kingdom: Mitchell Beazley. p. 224. ISBN 9781845337315.
3. "RHS Plant Selector - Dryopteris erythrosora". Retrieved 16 July 2013.

• Germplasm Resources Information Network: Dryopteris erythrosora
• The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation: Dryopteris erythrosora
• Roth, Susan A., 1997. 'Better Homes and Gardens: New Complete Guide to Gardening'. Second Edition. Des Moines, Meredith Corporation. ISBN 0-696-02573-6.