Quercus

Crested Wood-fern

Dryopteris cristata

Native to Georgia (estimated)

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

3CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including GA

Genus host records with ranges including GA · Dryopteris

  • Fagitana litteraMarsh Fern Moth
  • Gueneria similariaGhostly Fern Moth
  • Sthenopis pretiosusGold-Spotted Ghost Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
2BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Dryopteris

  • Bonasa umbellusRuffed Grouse
  • Lagopus lagopusWillow Ptarmigan
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

No records yet · Ants · Beetles · Flies · Adult butterflies / moths · Other wasps · Other insects

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Dryopteridaceae
Hardiness
Zones 3a–7b
Soil pH
Acidic
Flower color
Brown
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Spreads by rhizomes
Foliage color
Dark green
Fruit begins
Summer
Fruit ends
Fall

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope
  • Bloom · “Summer” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
  • Flower color · “Brown” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
  • Foliage color · “Dark green” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
  • Fruit begins · “Summer” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
  • Fruit ends · “Fall” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
  • Growth habit · “Spreads by rhizomes” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
  • Growth rate · “Moderate” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
  • Hardiness · “Zones 3a–7b” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
  • Height · “1–3 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
  • Life cycle · “Perennial” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
  • Light · “Dappled sunlight (shade through upper canopy all day); Deep shade (less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight); Partial shade (direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
  • Soil · “Frequent standing water; Occasionally wet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
  • Soil pH · “Acidic” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
  • Spread · “2–6 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Also known as

Crested Wood Fern; Crested Wood fern

Conservation status

Georgia rankNot available
Global rankG5
GA statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

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Sources