Dryopteris erythrosora

Dryopteris erythrosora
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Pteridophyta
Class:	Pteridopsida
Order:	Polypodiales
Family:	Dryopteridaceae
Genus:	Dryopteris
Species:	D. erythrosora
Binomial name
Dryopteris erythrosora (D.C.Eaton) Kuntze

Dryopteris erythrosora (Autumn Fern, Autumn Brilliance Fern, Japanese Wood Fern or Japanese Shield Fern) is a species of fern, native to eastern Asia from China and Japan south to the Philippines, growing in light woodland shade on low mountains or hills. It is evergreen, with bipinnate fronds 30-70 cm tall and 15-35 cm broad, with 8-20 pairs of pinnae.

Cultivation

Dryopteris erythrosora close up

Dryopteris erythrosora

D. erythrosora can tolerate a drier soil than many ferns, but is most successful in moist, humus-rich soil, with a pH range of 6.1 to 7.5, with morning or late afternoon sunshine but not during the middle of the day. It is hardy in zones 5 to 11.

A number of cultivars have been selected, including 'Prolifica' and 'Viridosora'. Propagation is by division in spring, separating the small crowns from the larger crowns, or by spores.

References

• Germplasm Resources Information Network: Dryopteris erythrosora
• The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Foundation: Dryopteris erythrosora
• Roth, Susan A., 1997. 'Better Homes and Gardens: New Complete Guide to Gardening'. Second Edition. Des Moines, Meredith Corporation. ISBN 0-696-02573-6.