Species library

Field marks, habits, and camera tips for the wildlife that visits backyard habitats.

19 species

Braun's holly fern

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Virginia chainfern

Woodwardia virginica

A statuesque inhabitant of the American wetlands, the Virginia chainfern stands out with its polished dark stems and ...

Ferns

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