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Massachusetts Fern
Thelypteris simulata (Parathelypteris simulata)
Massachusetts fern is a fairly common fern, yet it was not discovered until 1894. To a casual glance, it looks like a marsh fern, or perhaps a New York fern.
• Family: Thelypteridaceae
• Habitat: wooded swamps and moist, acid woods
• Height: 18-30 inches
• Location of spores: underside of fronds
• Stipe (leaf stalk): green to yellow-brown, with a few scales at the base
• Growth pattern: random
• Persistence: deciduous
Underside of a fertile leaflet, showing the kidney-shaped sori (spore-bearing dots). Note that the leaf edges are not rolled around the sori; this is the easiest way to distinguish Massachusetts fern from the similar marsh fern. Also, Massachusetts fern has veins that are unforked, while marsh fern has mostly forked veins.