| One of our largest ferns, with leaves growing to 5’ tall in a circular clump. The leaves are cut into leaflets that are themselves cut almost to the midline into oblong sub-leaflets. The fertile leaves are in the center of the clump, are smaller and clublike with spore-bearing leaflets hugging the stalk. The fertile leaves are bright green at first in the early spring, then turn cinnamon brown. Both fertile and sterile leafstalks have tufts of cinnamon brown fur that rubs off easily. Found in shady wet areas along streams and edges of ponds and swamps. |
