Deer fern (Blechnum spicant) on stony ground between rocks

Blechnum spicant, commonly known as hard fern or deer fern, is a perennial fern native to Europe and western North America. It thrives in moist, shaded woodlands and acidic soils. The fern features two types of fronds: sterile, spreading fronds and upright, fertile fronds with spore-bearing structures. It is often used in shade gardens for its attractive foliage and tolerance of low-light conditions. Deer fern is also valued for its ecological role in forest understories.

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