Dryopteris x australis

Dixie Wood Fern is a naturally occurring NC native hybrid, deciduous fern in the Polypodiaceae family, that is mostly sterile and becoming increasingly rare in the southeastern United States. It is a cross between D. celsa x D. ludoviciana.  It tolerates the dry summers under the canopy of forests and wet sites of swampier areas. This fern is attractive with arching fronds and clump-forming with short rhizomes. It prefers shade to part shade in rich moist humus soils.

Use in a woodland setting, along streams or ponds or a rain garden.

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.