New York Fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis)

	Connecticut Botanical Society

	Connecticut Ferns
Photos & Information • Wildflowers >Ferns • Rare Plants • Gardening with Native Plants • Plant ID Guides • Links The Society • Home • Field Trips • Meetings • Newsletter • Membership • Get Involved • Contact Us • About this Web Site	New York Fern Thelypteris noveboracensis (Parathelypteris noveboracensis) This is a common fern, and it often grows in large colonies that carpet the forest floor. Notice how the frond tapers toward the base, and the lowest leaflets are very small. This is a good marker for New York fern. Hayscented fern shares the delicate appearance of New York fern, as well as its habit of covering forest floors, but the shape of the fronds distinguishes these ferns. Hayscented fern fronds are triangular in outline -- broadest at the base, not tapering. • Family: Thelypteridaceae • Habitat: moist woods in filtered light • Height: 1-2 feet • Location of spores: underside of fronds (see 2nd photo) • Stipe (leaf stalk): smooth or slightly hairy, pale green above, brown and scaly at the base • Growth pattern: random • Persistence: deciduous	next fern
	Underside of a leaflet, showing the sori (spore-bearing dots). Note how the frond tapers at both ends, and the lowest leaflets are very small. New York fern often grows in colonies with hundreds of individual plants.