Question: This fern is growing on a steep shady side of a rocky hill in my yard in Essex County, Byfield, …
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Question
This fern is growing on a steep shady side of a rocky hill in my yard in Essex County, Byfield, MA. I believe it is Polypodium virginiaum as opposed to Polystichum acrostichoids due to it not having a leaf stem and not having the stocking toed leaf shape. If it is P. virginiaum how is appearance of the fern different than P. appalachiacum (spelling check needed)?
Answer
Dear Von, good morning. You have photographed a species of Polypodium, but I cannot tell you which species because there is no image that clearly shows the leaf blade in its entirety (only sections of it). Polypodium appalachianum typically has a slender triangular leaf blade because the lowest leaflets are the longest and the leaftlets tend to be acute at the apex. Polypodium virginiaum has a more oblong leaf blade shape, with the widest point nearer the middle (rather than at the base) and the leaflets are more blunt at the apex. There are other characteristics, but these are the easiest to observe. Best wishes.
