New York fern
Thelypteris noveboracensis

Family: Thelypteridaceae

What it is like

Thelypteris noveboracensis is a FERN growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. The flowers are pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 0.5

Where it is found

Moist woodlands, moist sandy woodlands, upland rocky woodlands, shaded sandstone cliffs, low areas along streams in wooded areas, shaded seeps and springs along hillsides and ravines, and swamps.

Eastern United States and Canada, from Louisiana to Newfoundland, but most concentrated within Appalachia and the Atlantic Northeast.

Conservation Status: Not Listed.

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

A medium density groundcover for a shady or semi-shady location especially in acid soil. This fern is a wetland indicator. Woodland garden. Wildlife: Provides shelter for toads.

How it is grown

A perennial fern forming spreading colonies through rhizomes. Prefers dappled sunlight to medium shade, moist to mesic (requiring a moderate amount of moisture) conditions, and loamy, sandy, or rocky soil that is somewhat acidic. This fern should be located in an area that is protected from prevailing winds. Soil Description: acid, rich Can survive and outcompete other species in soil pH below 4. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a runner spreading indefinitely by rhizomes or stolons. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length .

Propagating it: Root division. Reproduces by spores.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Fern

Hardiness: 2-8

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Full shade, semi-shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

New York fern, tapering fern

Synonyms

No synonyms are recorded for this name.