Deer Fern
Blechnum spicant
Synonyms: Blechnum spicant ssp. nipponicum, Blechnum spicant var. pensylvanica, Struthiopteris spicant
The photos of deer ferns on this page were
all taken along forest road #23 at the trailhead for the Riley Trail #64 on
the western slopes of Mt. Adams..........October 14, 2005. Note how the
fertile fronds stand stiffly erect while the sterile fronds generally lie flat
along the ground, forming a basal rosette.
The photo above shows the fertile frond of
deer fern (at middle of photo) and two sizes of sterile fronds, which are widest
near their middle and taper gradually to their opposite tips.
The dorsal surface of the leaflets of the sterile
frond of deer frond.
The lower surface of the leaflets of the sterile
frond.
The lower surface of the long, narrow leaflets
of the fertile frond of deer fern. Note the in-rolled margins to the leaflets
as well as the twin, continuous bands of sori that run the length of the leaflet,
one on each side of the midvein.
The upper surface of the long, narrow leaflets
of the fertile frond of deer fern.
The photo above shows a nice rosette of deer fern as seen in moist coniferous forest at the eastern edge of Swampy Meadows on the western slopes of Mt. Adams. Photographed on August 11, 2008. Other plants visible in the photo include bunchberry (Cornus unalaschkensis) and five-leaved bramble (Rubus pedatus).
Paul Slichter