WSU Clark County Extension
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Deer Fern

Scientific name: Blechnum spicant
Taxonomy
Family:Blechinaceae
Type:Ferns
Native:YES
Plant Requirements
Zone:5 to 8
Sun:Partial shade to full shade
Moisture:Medium
Plant Characteristics
Height:2 ft
Width:2 ft
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description This Northwest native is a beautiful forest fern which provides winter forage for deer, elk and other large grazing animals from the Columbia River north to Alaska.

  Morphology:
Deer Fern grows to a height of 8”-20” with a width of 24”. It features lance shaped, pinnately arranged compound leaves (fronds) that resemble small ladders. The lower leaves form a basal rosette from which new shoots emerge. The lower leaves are sterile, while the center upright leaves are fertile. When the upright fronds dry out in winter, still hovering above fully green prostrate leaves, they look sufficiently flower-like to be of added interest if left untrimmed. Older plants develop more of the ground-hugging sterile leaves.

  Adaptation:
This plant does best in partial to deep shade. If it outgrows a location the spreading clumps can be divided in the spring. It is considered drought tolerant once established. Deer fern is an indicator of moist to wet forests from sea level to mountain zones in southwestern Washington and western Oregon

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234