Species library
Field marks, habits, and camera tips for the wildlife that visits backyard habitats.
Braun's holly fern
Polystichum braunii
A prehistoric masterpiece of the forest floor, Braun's holly fern is famous for its shaggy, silver-scaled stems and i...
Ferns
broad buckler-fern
Dryopteris dilatata
A robust titan of the shade, the broad buckler-fern transforms dark garden corners into lush woodland retreats with i...
Ferns
common bracken
Pteridium aquilinum
A prehistoric survivor with a global footprint, common bracken forms the emerald carpets of our woodlands. Its massiv...
Ferns
deer fern
Struthiopteris spicant
A resilient evergreen of the forest floor, the deer fern is easily identified by its unique 'ladder-style' leaves and...
Ferns
Fragrant Fern
Microsorum scandens
The Fragrant Fern is a climbing marvel of the southern hemisphere, known for its sweet, musky scent and its ability t...
Ferns
intermediate wood fern
Dryopteris intermedia
The intermediate wood fern is the 'lace' of the forest floor, offering delicate beauty and year-round green. A hardy ...
Ferns
lady fern
Athyrium filix-femina
Elegant, feathery, and remarkably resilient, the Lady Fern is the 'grand dame' of the shady garden. Its delicate fron...
Ferns
marginal wood fern
Dryopteris marginalis
A resilient evergreen anchor of the forest floor, the marginal wood fern is named for the unique placement of its spo...
Ferns
monarch fern
Microsorum scolopendria
A hardy tropical icon, the monarch fern transforms garden floors with its deeply lobed, leathery fronds and a sweet, ...
Ferns
Musk Fern
Microsorum grossum
A fragrant icon of the Pacific, the Musk Fern is a resilient climber and groundcover known for its deeply lobed leave...
Ferns
netted chain fern
Woodwardia areolata
Transform your wet garden corners into an ancient oasis with the netted chain fern. With its distinctive vein pattern...
Ferns
northern holly fern
Polystichum lonchitis
A hardy survivor of the high peaks and rocky ravines, the northern holly fern is famous for its leathery, evergreen f...
Ferns
rough tree-fern
Cyathea australis
Step back in time with the rough tree-fern, a hardy survivor from the age of dinosaurs. With its towering trunk and m...
Ferns
sensitive fern
Onoclea sensibilis
A prehistoric survivor in your own backyard, the sensitive fern tells the story of the seasons with its frost-sensiti...
Ferns
silver fern
Cyathea dealbata
The silver fern is the glowing heart of the New Zealand bush, famous for the shimmering white undersides of its frond...
Ferns
soft shield fern
Polystichum setiferum
The lace-maker of the woodland floor, the soft shield fern is a year-round beauty that provides essential shelter for...
Ferns
southern sword fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
With its iconic arching fronds and vibrant green hue, the southern sword fern is the quintessential backyard fern. It...
Ferns
spinulose wood fern
Dryopteris carthusiana
A lacy, lime-green inhabitant of the forest's dampest corners, the spinulose wood fern is a master of the shade. Its ...
Ferns
Virginia chainfern
Woodwardia virginica
A statuesque inhabitant of the American wetlands, the Virginia chainfern stands out with its polished dark stems and ...
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