English: Marsh fern; Eastern marsh fern.
Family:
ThelypteridaceaeRegion: temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, North America, Europe, parts of Asia.
Habitat: wetlands, marshes, bogs, swamps, edges of ponds and streams; prefers consistently moist, acidic to neutral soils and full sun to partial shade.
Ecology: only known host plant for Fagitana littera, the marsh fern moth; stabilizes soil and prevent erosion in wetland areas; decontaminates the soil from Iron, Zinc and Copper.
Use: ornamental.
BotanyFern; herbaceous; perennial; forming loose, spreading colonies.
Root: creeping, rhizomatous, root system.
Leaves: pinnate; erect to arching; 30-90 cm long; green; delicate, lacy; leaflets lance-shaped with finely toothed margins.
Sporangia: on the underside of the fronds in sori.
Sori: round; covered by a protective indusium.
Dispersion: through wind and water.