fragrant cliff fern

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• fragrant cliff fern
• fragrant cliff wood fern
• fragrant fern
• fragrant shield fern
• fragrant wood fern
• fragrant-cliff fern

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Aspidium fragrans
• Dryopteris aquilonaris
• Dryopteris fragrans f. aquilonaris
• Dryopteris fragrans var. remotiuscula
• Filix aquilonaris
• Filix fragrans
• Filix-mas fragrans
• Lastrea fragrans
• Nephrodium fragrans var. remotiusculum
• Nephrodium fragrans f. aquilonare
• Nephrodium fragrans var. aquilonare
• Polystichum fragrans
• Woodsia xanthosporangia
• Nephrodium fragrans
• Filix-mas fragrans var. hookeriana
• Thelypteris fragrans
• Thelypteris fragrans var. hookeriana
• Dryopteris fragrans var. hookeriana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, placing it within the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Polypodiinae and the order Polypodiales, falling into the family Polypodiaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Dryopteris.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the northern hemisphere. In Northern Europe, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Finland. Moving toward Eastern Europe, the species can be found throughout North European Russia. Its range extends significantly into Siberia, where it inhabits the Altay region. Furthermore, the plant is documented in the Siberian territories of both Buryatiya and Chitа.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Dryopteris fragrans is defined by its preference for specific microhabitats characterized by structural complexity and moisture retention. This species is primarily found colonizing crevices in rocks and specialized niches within planters, where the substrate provides the necessary stability and mineral composition for its rhizomatous growth. By occupying these rocky and container-based environments, the plant utilizes the unique drainage properties and moisture-holding capacities of these sites to support its physiological needs. The ability to thrive in such localized environments suggests a specialized ecological strategy centered on utilizing rocky interfaces and sheltered niches that offer protection from excessive environmental fluctuations.

Habitat :

placers and rocks

Life history

The life history of Dryopteris fragrans is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years and undergoes consistent growth cycles through multiple seasons. As a perennial fern, it survives unfavorable environmental conditions by maintaining underground structures, such as rhizomes, which store nutrients and allow the plant to regrow during favorable periods. Its developmental cycle involves the emergence of fronds from these rhizomes, followed by the maturation of spore-producing structures on the underside of the leaves. Unlike annuals or biennials, this species establishes long-term presence in its habitat, continuously replenishing its biomass and participating in reproductive cycles through the dispersal of spores over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Dryopteris fragrans is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and specifically a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte, with a primarily terrestrial habitat. The plant is relatively small in stature, maintaining a height that ranges from a minimum of 0.05 m to a maximum of 0.3 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Plant height min:

0.05 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Dryopteris fragrans follows the characteristic lifecycle of ferns, involving an alternation of generations rather than the production of traditional flowers. Instead of blooming, the plant produces specialized structures called sporangia, typically located on the underside of its fertile fronds, which release microscopic spores into the environment. Based on the seasonal cycles of its reproductive development, the period associated with its reproductive activity begins in July and reaches its conclusion in August. These spores, when dispersed under favorable moisture conditions, germinate into a small, heart-shaped gametophyte, which eventually facilitates the fertilization process required to produce new sporophytes.

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Aug

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Dryopteris fragrans has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Chemicals

Dryopteris fragrans has 31 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Albicanol, triterpenoids, 1,4,8-TRIHYDROXYANTHRAQUINONE, 1,8-dihydroxy-anthraquinone, Aspidin BB.

Albicanol

1. Food & function
2. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

triterpenoids

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Protein expression and purification

1,4,8-TRIHYDROXYANTHRAQUINONE

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

1,8-dihydroxy-anthraquinone

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Aspidin BB

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Aspidin PB

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Aspidinol

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chrysophanol

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Cryptotanshinone

1. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Dryopteris fragrans has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant.

Anticancer

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Antioxidant

1. Food & function

Medicinal Uses

Dryopteris fragrans has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include antioxidant activity, breast cancer, cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations