Fronds:
Spreading vase of arching fronds;
pinnate-pinnatified; broadest in middle; pinna are narrow, lance
shaped, broadest at base and gradually taper to a blunt tip; no
dense tuft of hairs at base of pinnae; rachis is smooth and semi-grooved
in front; sporangia borne on several pairs of pinnae in middle of
frond - bright green and short lived
Comments:
Compact, wiry,
horizontal rhizome; easy to grow; prefers moist, average to humus
rich soil in sun or shade but will grow in dry, stony soil; one
of first ferns to begin growth in spring; spreads slowly; dies in
center of clump with growth continuing on edges
