Description
Phegopteris – Beech Fern –
There are 3 or 4 species of deciduous, terrestrial ferns in the Thelypteridaceae family, in this genus. They occur in shady banks and rocks in high rainfall areas throughout the Northern Hemisphere and in Southeastern Asia. The pinnate to 2 pinnate or pinnatifid fronds, with pinnatifid or pinnatisect pinnae, arise at random from each erect to creeping rhizome, the fronds turning at right angles to the light. Round sori, without protective indusia, are produced in 2 rows on the undersides of the frond segments. Beech ferns are ideal for growing in a moist, shady border, or among rocks where the soil does not dry out.
Grow in moderately fertile, humus rich, reliably moist soil, preferably in deep shade. Divide in spring.
P. connectilis – Thelypteris phegopteris – Narrow beech Fern – This deciduous fern found throughout the Northern Hemisphere grows to 12″ tall with an indefinite spread. It produces long stalked, arrow shaped to triangular, pinnate, pale green fronds, 12″ long, with oblong or linear to lance shaped, deeply pinnatifid pinnae, composed of oblong segments. The lowest pair of pinnae points forward and downward.
Zones 4-6
