Categories: Aspleniaceae

Common oak fern (Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Phytologist 4(App. XXIV): 371 (1851))

Family: Aspleniaceae

Author: (L.) Newman

Bibliography: Phytologist 4(App. XXIV): 371 (1851)

Year: 1851

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Gymnocarpium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere

Description

The Common Oak Fern, known scientifically as Gymnocarpium dryopteris, is a delicate and graceful member of the Aspleniaceae family. First documented in the mid-19th century by a noted botanist, this elegant fern was described in detail in the 1851 issue of “Phytologist” by Newman.

Native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, the Common Oak Fern thrives in cool, shaded environments, often blanketing forest floors with its softly spreading fronds. This fern is particularly fond of damp, rich soils and can frequently be found in mountainous areas, where it adds to the lush vegetation typical of such ecosystems.

Visually distinctive, the Common Oak Fern features broadly triangular fronds that are finely divided, creating a lacy appearance which is reminiscent of the foliage of an oak tree, hence its common name. The fronds emerge from a slender, creeping rhizome, allowing the plant to form expansive, verdant colonies that provide ground cover and help to stabilize the soil.

Despite its delicate appearance, Gymnocarpium dryopteris is remarkably resilient. It can endure cold winters, making it a durable addition to the flora of northern forests. The fronds, typically green and supple during the growing season, may turn brown and wither in the autumn, allowing the plant to conserve energy and survive through the winter months.

The Common Oak Fern is not just a visual delight but also plays a role in the ecological dynamics of its native habitats. It offers shelter and habitat for numerous small woodland creatures and insects. Additionally, its presence is an indicator of healthy, undisturbed forest environments.

A modest yet crucial component of its ecosystem, the Common Oak Fern continues to capture the interest and admiration of botanists and nature enthusiasts alike, showcasing the subtle beauty and resilience of forest flora.

Common Names

Eng: common oak fern, oak fern, western oakfern, northern oak fern, western oak fern
Deu: eichenfarn
Dan: tredelt egebregne
Fra: dryoptéris de linné, gymnocarpe fougère-du-chêne, dryoptéride disjointe, fougère-du-chêne, gymnocarpe du chêne, lastrée du chêne, polypode dryoptère, polypode du chêne
Swe: ekbräken
Nld: gebogen driehoeksvaren
Nor: kraakefot-blom
Sme: vuovdegáiski
Cym: llawredynen y derw, rhedyn tridarn, rhedynen dridarn
En: Common oak fern, Oak fern, Western oakfern, Northern Oak Fern, WESTERN OAK FERN, Woodland Oak-fern
Be: Галакучнік Лінея
Zh: 欧洲羽节蕨
Hr: Kisela lastreja
Cs: Bukovník kapraďovitý
Da: Tredelt egebregne
Nl: Gebogen driehoeksvaren
Et: Harilik kolmissõnajalg
Fi: Metsäimarre
Fr: Polypode du Chêne, Dryoptéris de linné, Gymnocarpe fougère-du-chêne, Dryoptéride disjointe, Fougère-du-chêne, Gymnocarpe du chêne, Lastrée du chêne, Polypode dryoptère, Fougère du Chêne, Gymnocarpium dryoptère
De: Eichenfarn, Echter Eichenfarn, Eichentüpfelfarn
Hu: Közönséges tölgyespáfrány
Is: Þrílaufungur
Ga: Raithneach dharach
It: Felce delle querce
Lt: Trikampis papartenis
Se: Vuovdegáiski
No: Fugletelg, Kraakefot-blom
Fa: سرخس بلوطی
Pl: Cienistka trójkątna
Ru: Голокучник обыкновенный
Sv: Ekbräken
Cy: Rhedynen dridarn, Llawredynen y Derw, Rhedyn Tridarn

Synonyms

Polypodium pulchellum (Salisb.)
Filix pumila (Gilib.)
Carpogymnia dryopteris ((L.) Á.Löve & D.Löve)
Polypodium dryopteris var. glandulosum (Neilr.)
Polypodium dryopteris var. glabrum (Neilr.)
Nephrodium dryopteris ((L.) Michx.)
Phegopteris dryopteris f. interrupta (Jewell)
Dryopteris linnaeana (C.Chr.)
Polystichum dryopteris ((L.) Roth)
Currania dryopteris ((L.) Wherry)
Phegopteris dryopteris var. minor (Farw.)
Aspidium dryopteris ((L.) Baumg.)
Thelypteris dryopteris ((L.) Sloss.)
Lastrea dryopteris ((L.) Bory)
Polypodium dryopteris var. genuinum (Ledeb.)
Phegopteris dryopteris ((L.) Fée)
Dryopteris triangularis (Herter)
Phegopteris triangularis (St.-Lag.)
Dryopteris pumila (V.Krecz)
Dryopteris pulchella ((Salisb.) Hayek)
Polypodium dryopteris (L.)
Dryopteris dryopteris ((L.) Britton)
Polypodium conjunctum (Schur)
Polypodium dryopteris var. rigidius (Hook.)

Distribution

Alaska (native)
Albania (native)
Alberta (native)
Altay (native)
Amur (native)
Arizona (native)
Austria (native)
Baltic States (native)
Belgium (native)
British Columbia (native)
Bulgaria (native)
Buryatiya (native)
Central European Rus (native)
China North-Central (native)
Chita (native)
Colorado (native)
Connecticut (native)
Corse (native)
Czechoslovakia (native)
Denmark (native)
East European Russia (native)
Finland (native)
France (native)
Føroyar (native)
Germany (native)
Great Britain (native)
Greece (native)
Greenland (native)
Hungary (native)
Iceland (native)
Idaho (native)
Illinois (native)
Inner Mongolia (native)
Iowa (native)
Ireland (native)
Irkutsk (native)
Italy (native)
Japan (native)
Kamchatka (native)
Kazakhstan (native)
Khabarovsk (native)
Korea (native)
Krasnoyarsk (native)
Krym (native)
Kuril Is. (native)
Labrador (native)
Magadan (native)
Maine (native)
Manchuria (native)
Manitoba (native)
Maryland (native)
Masachusettes (native)
Michigan (native)
Minnesota (native)
Montana (native)
Netherlands (native)
New Brunswick (native)
New Hampshire (native)
New Jersey (native)
New Mexico (native)
New York (native)
Newfoundland (native)
North Dakota (native)
North European Russi (native)
Northwest European R (native)
Northwest Territorie (native)
Norway (native)
Nova Scotia (native)
Nunavut (native)
Ohio (native)
Ontario (native)
Oregon (native)
Pennsylvania (native)
Poland (native)
Primorye (native)
Prince Edward I. (native)
Québec (native)
Rhode I. (native)
Romania (native)
Sakhalin (native)
Saskatchewan (native)
South Dakota (native)
Spain (native)
Sweden (native)
Switzerland (native)
Transcaucasus (native)
Turkey (native)
Tuva (native)
Ukraine (native)
Utah (native)
Vermont (native)
Washington (native)
West Siberia (native)
West Virginia (native)
Wisconsin (native)
Wyoming (native)
Xinjiang (native)
Yugoslavia (native)
Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 1, 2014 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2020 by Bertille Bretheau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 17, 2022 by MUH. IDRIS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 23, 2013 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 23, 2013 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Anna LL. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)