Log Fern is an uncommon species that is mostly native to the southeastern USA, but it also grows up into Illinois, Indiana, southwest Michigan, western New York & Pennsylvania & New Jersey, and spots in New England in moist or wet woodlands and swamps. It is a fairly tall fern about, 3 to 4 feet high, with upright, arching triangular fronds. The foliage is dark green, sort of glossy, and of a firm, thick texture. Its sori (spore producing structures) are kidney-shaped spots under the leaves. There are scales on the petioles (leaf stems) that are brown with a dark central stripe. It does produce some short creeping rhizomes (underground stems) but this fern spreads very slowly and is "well-behaved" next to some species that spread like crazy. The plant crown can be divided in spring or fall to propagate. While it is found in wet or very moist soils in nature, it does well in mesic, rich soil that is acid or neutral in a regular garden. I have one in my backyard and it is a handsome plant. A client let me take an offshoot. It is sold by some native plant nurseries. Some large, diverse conventional nurseries may carry some.

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