Male fern

About

The Male fern is one of the largest and most common ferns in the Carpathian forests. The leaves are 50–150 cm long, arranged at the top of a thick rhizome in a proper funnel shape. The leaf blade is twice pinnately divided, with a short petiole densely covered in brown scales.

In summer, two rows of round brown clusters — sori — appear on the underside of the leaves. Each is covered by a kidney-shaped indusium, resembling a small shield; hence the name of the genus. Spores mature in the sori, which the fern uses for reproduction.

Ferns do not flower. The legendary "fern flower" sought after on Ivan Kupala night is merely a beautiful fiction: these plants have neither flowers nor seeds.

In the Carpathians, the Male fern grows in shady beech, mixed, and spruce forests, in ravines and on rocky slopes — from the foothills to the upper forest limit. The Lady fern often grows nearby: its leaves are more delicate, thrice divided, "lace-like," and its sori are elongated, curved like a comma.

The rhizome of the Male fern is poisonous. It was once used to make a remedy for worms, but due to severe poisoning — even leading to loss of vision — this treatment has been abandoned. It is prohibited to dig up and use the rhizome.

It is also not advisable to dig up ferns for gardens in the forest: this is prohibited in national parks and reserves.

Where in the Carpathians

Teal — roughly where the species can occur, by elevation and habitat; orange — where naturalists recorded it (GBIF, CC0/CC BY).

Range: elevation belt and forests — our model (AWS Terrain Tiles; © OpenStreetMap)

Countries

Ukraine · Slovakia · Czechia · Poland · Hungary · Romania

Mountain ranges

nearly all Carpathian ranges, in the forest belt

Altitude belts

Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m)

When to see it

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Safety

The rhizome is poisonous: preparations from it have caused severe poisoning and vision impairment. Do not dig up or consume. In case of suspected poisoning, call 103 (or 112).

Look-alikes — how to tell them apart

In folk tradition

The rhizome was once used as a medicinal raw material; due to its toxicity, this use has been discontinued.

Protection and rules

Not listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

FAQ