19. Dryopteris goldiana (Hook. ex Goldie) A. Gray (Manual ed. 1, 631. 1848).—Goldie’s wood-fern.—Fig. 20.

Rhizome ascending-erect, stout. Stipe slightly shorter than the blade, 15-45 cm long, scaly, the scales mostly narrow to broad lanceolate, thin, pale brown, those at the stipe base with a dark reddish-brown central strip; blade pinnate-pinnatifid to nearly 2-pinnate, triangular or to widely ovate, 30—130 cm long, 20—45 cm wide, base obtuse or truncate, apex abruptly narrowed to an acuminate tip; pinnae oblong-lanceolate, basal ones narrowed at their base, stalked, apex attenuate pinnatifid-serrate, the lowest pinnae equal or nearly equal to those above; pinnules (or segments) long oblong, serrate. Sori close to the midrib; indusia red-brown when dry.

Dryopteris goldiana is a diploid, sexual species from central and eastern North America. It is frequent in damp woods and on stream banks, often among rocks.

It is a coarse fern, which prefers moist soil, and full shade to partial sun. When young the fronds have a yellow tinge. It is semi-deciduous and hardy to a January average of 20°F.

Dryopteris goldiana has formed hybrids with other species of Dryopteris, one of which, D. clintoniana (D.C. Eaton) Dowell (D. cristata ¥goldiana), is cultivated.