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Hayscented Fern
Dennstaedtia punctilobula
Hayscented fern is very common, and it often grows in large colonies, forming a carpet. It can be identified by its lacy, light-green fronds. It can be confused with New York fern, but hayscented fern has triangular fronds, whereas New York fern fronds taper to tiny leaflets at the bottom.
• Family: Dennstaedtiaceae
• Habitat: woods and open woods
• Height: fronds 12-18 inches long
• Location of spores: underside of fronds (see third image below)
• Stipe (leaf stalk): finely downy; groove very shallow or none
• Growth pattern: random
• Persistence: deciduous
Hayscented fern has light-green, lacy fronds.
Underside of a frond, showing the very small, round sori (spore-bearing dots).