Description
Cystopteris – Bladder Fern –
There are about 20 species of deciduous, rhizomatous ferns, in this genus. They occur among calcareous rocks in temperate and subtropical areas. They produce very finely, divided, lance shaped or triangular fronds, usually pinnate or 2 to 4 pinnate to pinnatifid, arise from creeping or erect rhizomes, the sori protected by bladder shaped indusia, giving rise to the common name. Grow in a rock garden or shady fern border.
Grow in fertile, moist but well drained soil in partial shade. Shelter from wind. Divide rhizomes in spring.
Prone to leaf gall and rust.
C. dickieana – Dickie’s Fern – This clump forming fern from Europe grows 6″ tall and 8″ wide. From erect rhizomes it sprouts tufts of lance shaped, 2 or 3 pinnate, gray-green fronds, 4-10″ or more long, with rounded lobes at the tips, and overlapping, ovate to oblong-lance shaped segments.
Zones 2-7
