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Marsh Fern

Thelypteris palustris

29
Good

Native to West Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 82%

Height
6 inches–2.5 feet
Light
Partial sun, Full sun
Soil moisture
Moderate, High
Will it fit your yard?

At a glance

Life cycle
Perennial

Not yet recorded · Spread · Leaves

Recorded in 6 West Virginia counties.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

5CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including WV

Genus host records with ranges including WV · Thelypteris

  • Callopistria mollissimaPink-Shaded Fern Moth
  • Euplexia benesimilisAmerican Angle Shades
  • Fagitana litteraMarsh Fern Moth
  • Gueneria similariaGhostly Fern Moth
  • Herpetogramma theseusalis
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
0BeesSoutheastern regional records
0Specialist beesPollen specialists
1BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

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

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

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

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

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Thelypteridaceae
Flower color
Not applicable

What its natural habitat tells you

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

Growing sources and scope
  • Flower color · “Not applicable” · Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
  • Height · “6 inches–2.5 feet” · Minnesota Wildflowers
  • Life cycle · “Perennial” · Minnesota Wildflowers
  • Light · “Partial sun (minimum requirement); Full sun (minimum requirement)” · Virginia DCR Piedmont (ranked first; Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center differs) · Virginia regional planting chart; sunlight is a minimum requirement, moisture is low/moderate/high
  • Soil · “Moderate; High” · Virginia DCR Piedmont (ranked first; Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center differs) · Virginia regional planting chart; sunlight is a minimum requirement, moisture is low/moderate/high
Also known as

Eastern Marsh Fern

Conservation status

West Virginia rankS4
Global rankG5
WV statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source Global and federal source

In your garden

Will it fit your yard?

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Sources