Worm fern – it used to be known as a worm killer. Today gardeners know it as a plant for making a manure that is supposed to help against snails and other vermin.
What are the characteristics and properties of the worm fern?
The worm fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) belongs to the shield fern family and is poisonous to humans and animals. Typical characteristics are bipinnate leaves, clumpy growth and spore maturation from July to September. It prefers semi-shady to shady locations in pine and beech forests.
About the worm fern
- Plant family and genus: shield fern family, worm ferns
- Latin name: Dryopteris filix-mas
- Occurrence: Forests
- Growth: clump-like, spreading, upright
- Leaves: bipinnate
- Spore maturation: July to September
- Location: partially shaded to shady
- Care: no special care necessary
- Propagation: spores, division of the rhizome
- Special features: poisonous
The much-named worm fern in its home
The worm fern is known under the other names real worm fern, common worm fern, common worm fern and man fern. It can be found in many places in Europe. It prefers to inhabit European forests, preferring pine and beech forests. It can grow up to altitudes of 2,600 m.
Toxic to humans and animals
Its rhizomes and stems in particular are considered extremely poisonous. The young plants particularly stand out because of their poisonous potential. Although the worm fern was used for worm treatment in the past, its consumption is not recommended. These worm treatments often ended in serious poisoning and even death.
The worm fern is not only poisonous to humans. Animals such as grazing horses, goats, sheep and cows should also be wary of him. On top of that, pets such as cats, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits are at risk. The main toxins, so-called butanophloroglucides, lead to nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, heart failure and motor disorders when consumed.
A closer look at his appearance
There is a thick, horizontally growing rhizome in the ground. Blackish roots are attached to it. A 1 to 1.40 m tall plant shoots up from the root system on the surface. It grows quickly in lime-poor soils when planted in the shade.
The worm fern is usually wintergreen. Its bipinnate leaves grow up to 140 cm long. Here are more features:
- funnel-shaped fronds
- short stem
- pointed
- light to dark green
- 20 to 35 leaflets on the midrib
- Feathers sharply sawn on the edge
- Spores form underneath
Tips & Tricks
The worm fern, which regularly changes generations, can quickly be externally confused with the lady fern. But in contrast to the delicate lady fern, the worm fern has fewer finely distributed fronds.