A small but hearty fern

There are thousands of kinds of ferns throughout the world, and some of them are difficult to identify.

The broad beech fern is native to and common in forests of much of the eastern U.S. It is easy to identify. I found this one growing in a Scott County woods among fallen leaves. A much larger Christmas fern was growing nearby.

The broad beech fern looks dainty but is actually easy to grow in a garden where semishade is provided. A good place to plant a broad beech fern would be under a dogwood tree near the tree's trunk.

Broad beech ferns will slowly propagate from the roots and in a few years may nicely fill in a small area.

It is not an aggressive plant. It will die back during late fall and reappear again in spring.

Although it does not have a flower, it is quite beautiful. It can be grown in a flower pot.

Through the Woods is a weekly nature photo column by Aaron Horrell. Find this column at semissourian.com to order a reprint of the photo. Find more work by him at the O'Tenem Gallery.