Cystopteridaceae
Fragile Fern Family
2 genera
4 species
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Cystopteris fragilisbladder fern, brittle fern, fragile fern
Distribution: Occurring on both sides of the Cascades crest in Washington; Alaska to California, east across the northern half of North America to the Atlantic Coast; circumboreal.
Habitat: Moist to moderately dry, often rocky places, lowlands to above timberline
Origin: Native
Spores: April-September
Growth Duration: Perennial
Gymnocarpium ×brittonianumhybrid oak fern
Origin: Native
Growth Duration: Perennial
Gymnocarpium disjunctumPacific oak-fern, western oak-fern
Distribution: Occurring in forested areas on both sides of the Cascades crest except in southeastern Washington; Alaska to Oregon, east to Alberta, Idaho, and Montana, and disjunct in Wyoming; circumboreal.
Habitat: Moist woods, streambanks and wet cliffs.
Origin: Native
Growth Duration: Perennial
Gymnocarpium dryopterisnorthern oak fern
Distribution: Occurring east of the Cascades crest in northeastern Washington; Alaska to northeastern Washington, east across Canada and the northern U.S., with disjunct populations scattered throughout western North America.
Habitat: Forest understory, often where moist
Origin: Native
Growth Duration: Perennial