Alpine buckler fern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alpine buckler fern |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Dryopteris
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| Species: |
expansa
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The Dryopteris expansa, also known as the alpine buckler fern or spreading wood fern, is a type of fern. You can find it in cool, northern parts of the world. It grows in places like Europe, Asia, and North America. This fern loves cool, damp forests. It often grows on old logs, tree stumps, or rocky slopes near streams. It was first discovered in Germany.
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What is the Alpine Buckler Fern?
This fern has a strong, woody stem that grows along the ground or upwards. It has large, green, lacy leaves called fronds. These fronds are usually about 10 to 60 centimeters (4 to 24 inches) long. Sometimes, they can grow up to 90 centimeters (35 inches) long.
How Does it Grow?
The fronds are shaped like a triangle at the bottom. They are divided into many smaller parts. The fern's underground stem, called a rhizome, can grow straight up or spread out. This rhizome often creates new fern plants.
How Does it Reproduce?
On the underside of the fronds, you can see small dots called sori. These sori contain tiny spores. The fern spreads by these spores. It can also grow new plants from its spreading rhizome.
What's in a Name?
The scientific name for this fern, expansa, comes from a Latin word. Expando means "to spread out" or "to expand." This fits the fern because it often spreads its fronds wide. Other common names include northern wood fern and spiny wood fern.
Uses of the Alpine Buckler Fern
The root of the alpine buckler fern contains a substance called filicin. In the past, people used this substance in herbal medicine. It was thought to help get rid of internal parasites, like tapeworms.
