Goldschuppenfarn

created by Alex&Sempi at 17.03.2025

Season Overview

Sowing

Harvest

J

F

M

A

M

J

A

S

O

N

D

1ST YEAR

FOLLOWING YEARS

Description

The native golden scale fern, also known as the scaly worm fern or scaly worm fern, belongs to the worm fern family (Dryopteridaceae). This close relative of the common worm fern is quite similar to it, but grows somewhat more robustly and is one of the largest native fern species. It is widespread and native not only to Western Europe, but also to the Southwest and North Africa. In Germany, it is mainly found in the Alps and the low mountain ranges, where it thrives on moist, low-lime soils in front of shady, cool deciduous and coniferous forests, on rocky slopes and path embankments with high humidity. Older specimens of Dryopteris affinis form a dense, broad base up to two hand-widths high, reminiscent of tropical tree ferns. Underground, the perennial, almost evergreen fern has a short, strong rhizome covered with soft brown scales; above ground, its obliquely ascending fronds, which grow in large funnels and clusters, reach a height of up to one and a half meters. They are firm and leathery, double-pinnate with broad rectangular leaflets with a glossy dark green upper side and a matt and lighter underside, which in this species has a distinct dark purple to black coloration directly at the tip of the leaf; their edges are smooth on the sides, with only a few denticles at the tip. The stalk of the fronds is about half as long as the leaf blade itself. The individual fronds live for about one and a half years and remain attached to the rhizome after withering. The long golden-colored, or more precisely yellow-brown chaff scales (ramenta), which are found on the stalks of the fronds and leaflets, give the plant its name. Sterile and fertile fronds look very similar. In the former, the roundish clusters of spores sit in two rows on the undersides of the leaflets; they are protected by a kidney-shaped, umbrella-like veil (indusium).

Non hybrid

Frostproof