Woodland & Rocky Ferns - Christmas Fern

 Christmas Fern

This fern can be easily identified by its dark green pinnae with an almost leathery appearance, in late spring/early summer the underside of fertile fronds produce dark brown to bright orange spores with which the plant is able to reproduce. 
This fern is an evergreen - sterile fronds and non-fertile portions of fertile fronds remain green through the winter, although they are often flattened by snow. 
Some say the name Christmas Fern comes from the shape of the fern's pinnae (individual leaf on the fern) saying it resembles that of a Christmas stocking. 

Top view of a fertile frond.

Top view of a sterile frond.

Underside of a fertile frond.