Family:
Dryopteridaceae.
Region: East Asia, China, Japan.
Habitat: thrives in forest understories, shaded slopes, and moist, well-drained soils; temperate to subtropical.
Ecology: stabilizes soil; contributes to biodiversity.
Uses: medicinal uses; ornamental, for its attractive, lacy fronds.
BotanyFern; medium-sized, terrestrial; spreading habit.
Rhizome: short; creeping or ascending; covered with scales.
Leaves: pinnate to bipinnate; arching; delicate; bright green; slightly leathery; 30 to 60 cm long; leaflets broad, auriculate, lobes at the base of the pinnae; margins finely serrated or slightly undulated.
Sori: round; near the midvein on the underside; indusium is kidney-shaped or absent.