Greek dryopteris, oak-nymph-fern, a name used by Dioscorides (Greek philosopher AD 64) ; dilatata, spread out.
Emerging fiddleheads of the Spreading Shield Fern, Dryopteris dilatata, arise in clusters from the underground rhizome. 15 May, 2004. Winner Creek Trail, Girdwood, Alaska. Right click to Download hi-res photo file. File size:374kb Type:JPG
Fiddleheads of the Spreading Shield Fern, Dryopteris dilatata break through a bed of sphagnum moss. The fiddleheads of some ferns (Osmunda cinnamomea) develop on the underground rhizome for four years before finally emerging in the fifth year (Steeves and Sussex,1989, pg 149). 15 May, 2004. Winner Creek Trail, Girdwood, Alaska. Right click to Download hi-res photo file. File size:571kb Type:JPG
A sorus of the Spreading Shield Fern, Dryopteris dilatata. There is usually one to a few sori on the back of a pinnule. The central membrane over the sorus is the protective indusium, shriveled now to reveal the mature sporangia. Collected near Homer, Alaska, 24 July, 2004. Right click to Download hi-res photo file. File size:289kb Type:JPG
Spores of the Spreading Shield Fern, Dryopteris dilatata. These spores are about 50 micons long, approximately half the thickness of a hair. Photographed in yellow light. Kachemak Bay State Park, near Homer, Alaska. 24 July, 2004 . Right click to Download hi-res photo file. File size:364kb Type:JPG