Dryopteris varia

Variable Wood Fern Dryopteridaceae

A handsome, robust Asian wood fern with substantial, rather leathery fronds and a pleasingly architectural habit. The fronds are broadly ovate-lanceolate, usually two- to three-pinnate towards the base, with the lowest pinnules often conspicuously elongated — a useful character when trying to separate it from some of the superficially similar species with which it has historically been confused.

Its range is remarkably extensive, running from Assam through China, Korea and southern Japan, southwards through Myanmar and Vietnam to Taiwan, the Philippines and Sulawesi. It is principally a fern of temperate woodland, occurring from low elevations into the mountains. 

The nomenclatural history is correspondingly complicated. Linnaeus described it in 1753 as Polypodium varium; Otto Kuntze transferred it to Dryopteris in 1891. Numerous subsequently described species have been reduced to synonymy, including D. hololepis, D. matsuzoana, D. ogawai and D. lingii. 

Best grown in moist, humus-rich soil in woodland shade.

• Hardiness: H5–H6, approximately -20 to -15°C
• Height: 50–80 cm
• Spread: 50–80 cm
• Foliage: Deciduous to semi-evergreen depending on climate
• Position: Partial shade to shade
• Soil: Moist, humus-rich, well-drained
• Range: Assam to southern and central China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Vietnam, Taiwan, Philippines and Sulawesi
• Nomenclature: Dryopteris varia (L.) Kuntze, 1891
• Basionym: Polypodium varium L., 1753
• Notable synonyms: Lastrea varia, Polystichum varium, Dryopteris hololepis, D. matsuzoana, D. ogawai