Ferns 2026

Northern Oak Fern

Although Northern Oak Fern (Gymnocarpium dryopteris) is listed as "common" in Massachusetts in most books and Go Botany, it is a fern Randy and I do not see often. It is small and delicate and looks a bit like a small Bracken fern. They are described as growing in cool, dark and shaded locations including moist woods, sometimes on rock, sometimes in wetland. We have seen it in this variety of locations. It has tiny little fiddleheads which will develop throughout the growing season.

I highlighted the Northern Oak Fern this time because it is one of the ferns we will see at High Ledges on our hike tomorrow. Hope you can join us! See the hike description in the calendar listing on this website. If you have not been to High Ledges before, it is a place you should visit!

Posted: to PV Fern News on Sat, Jun 13, 2026
Updated: Sat, Jun 13, 2026