Dryopteris fragrans — fragrant wood fern
![Plant form: Dryopteris fragrans. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2024 Arthur Haines. ~ arthur.d.haines[at]gmail.com](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/Dryopteridaceae/dryopteris-fragrans-ha-ahaines-a.jpg)
![Leaf: Dryopteris fragrans. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2024 Arthur Haines. ~ arthur.d.haines[at]gmail.com](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/Dryopteridaceae/dryopteris-fragrans-le-ahaines-c.jpg)
![Sori: Dryopteris fragrans. ~ By Emily B. Sessa. ~ Copyright © 2024 Emily B. Sessa. ~ sessa.emily[at]gmail.com ~ noseeds.blogspot.com](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/Dryopteridaceae/dryopteris-fragrans-so-esessa1.jpg)
![Plant form: Dryopteris fragrans. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2024 Arthur Haines. ~ arthur.d.haines[at]gmail.com](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/Dryopteridaceae/dryopteris-fragrans-ha-ahaines-b.jpg)
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Facts
Fragrant wood fern has a circumboreal distribution, and its North America range is mainly in Canada and Alaska. In New England it is found on cliffs in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, often on high-pH rock. A distinguishing feature of this fern is the persistence of numerous old dried fronds, which hang from the base. Also, the fronds have aromatic glands in this species.
Habitat
Cliffs, balds, or ledges, ridges or ledges
New England distribution
Adapted from BONAP data
Native: indigenous.
Non-native: introduced (intentionally or unintentionally); has become naturalized.
County documented: documented to exist in the county by evidence (herbarium specimen, photograph). Also covers those considered historical (not seen in 20 years).
State documented: documented to exist in the state, but not documented to a county within the state. Also covers those considered historical (not seen in 20 years).
Note: when native and non-native populations both exist in a county, only native status is shown on the map.
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enlargeCharacteristics
- Habitat
- terrestrial
- New England state
-
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
-
Leaves
- Features of leaves
- there are no special features on the leaves
-
Place
- Habitat
- terrestrial
- New England state
-
- Maine
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Specific habitat
-
- cliffs, balds, or ledges
- ridges or ledges
Wetland status
Not classified
In New England
Distribution
- Connecticut
- absent
- Maine
- present
- Massachusetts
- absent
- New Hampshire
- present
- Rhode Island
- absent
- Vermont
- present
Conservation status
Exact status definitions can vary from state to state. For details, please check with your state.
- Maine
- uncommon (S-rank: S3), special concern (code: SC)
- New Hampshire
- rare (S-rank: S2), threatened (code: T)
- Vermont
- rare (S-rank: S2)
From Flora Novae Angliae dichotomous key
6. Dryopteris fragrans (L.) Schott N
fragrant wood fern. Polypodium fragrans L. • ME, NH, VT. Cliffs, often shaded and also often of high-pH rock.
Native to North America?
Yes
Synonyms
- Polypodium fragrans L.