Leaves somewhat dimorphic, green through winter, 35–120 × 10–30 cm. Petiole more than 1/4 length of leaf, scaly at base; scales scattered, brown. Blade dark green, lanceolate, pinnate-pinnatifid, herbaceous, not glandular. Pinnae nearly in plane of blade, lance-oblong; fertile pinnae in distal 1/2 of leaf, distinctly narrower than proximal vegetative pinnae (only in this species); basal pinnae lanceolate-oblong, much reduced, basal pinnules slightly shorter than adjacent pinnules, basal basiscopic pinnule slightly longer than basal acroscopic pinnule; pinnule margins distantly serrate. Sori midway between midvein and margin of segments. Indusia lacking glands. 2n = 82.

Habitat: Swamps and wet woods
Elevation: 0–100 m

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ala., Ark., Fla., Ga., La., N.C., S.C.

Discussion

Dryopteris ludoviciana is endemic to southeastern United States. This diploid is one of the parents of D. celsa and D. cristata. It crosses with D. celsa to produce sterile hybrids.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.