Ferns 2026

Narrow Beech Fern

Today I am highlighting the pretty Narrow Beech Fern (Phegopteris connectilis). It is sometimes called Long Beech Fern as well. It is closely related to Broad Beech Fern (Phegopteris hexagonoptera). which is larger and broader than the Narrow Beech. The quickest way to tell them apart (after size) is that the the stem or rachis between the bottommost pair of pinnae or leaflets is bare on the Narrow Beech Fern, while the Broad Beech Fern has a winged stem. "The "connectilis" part of the Narrow Beech Fern name refers to the top pinnae being connected. Phegopteris comes from the Greek "phegos", which means Beech. Apparently it was named because it was found growing under Beech trees. It is not true around here. It is usually found along low banks of small streams and drainageways, just above the water line; also on moist slopes, and on ledges near waterfalls..

The Narrow Beech Fern is one of the earlier fiddleheads we look for in the Spring, and now it is starting to fade. But there are still a lot of good examples in patches on Mt Toby and we will see some of them on our Fern Hike this Sunday, August 30th from 1-3pm. Please read the Calendar for details on parking and level of difficulty hike. There are about 20 ferns we will see before many of them fade for the season.

Posted: to PV Fern News on Wed, Aug 26, 2026
Updated: Wed, Aug 26, 2026