2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Dryopteris (Latin Dryopteris) - a large genus of herbaceous plants of the Shchitovnikovye family. One of the most widespread ferns in the world and in temperate climates. Includes over 150 species. Found in forests, including oak. On the territory of Russia, you can capture about 20 species of shitnikov. Almost all representatives of the genus have a unique composition, they include anthocyanins, phenolic compounds, vitamins (especially a lot of B vitamins), tannins and higher fatty acids. For this reason, plants are actively used in folk medicine.
Interesting fact
There are many popular beliefs and superstitions associated with ferns. The shield maker is no exception. There is a legend about the fiery flower of the male shieldwort. A hundred years ago, it was believed that a person who discovers the rarest flower on the night of the holiday of Ivan Kupala is gifted with the ability to foresee the future. In addition, he becomes domineering, wealthy, and happy. There is a superstition that he, as it were, enters into an alliance with dark forces.
Characteristics of culture
The thyme is represented by perennial herbaceous plants with a height of no more than 1.5 m. They are characterized by thickened straight or creeping rhizomes, which are covered with scales over the entire surface, sometimes with hard hairs. The foliage is large, most often twice feathery, collected in a lush rosette. The fronds are elongated, lanceolate, dissected, connected in funnel-shaped bundles. The leaf petioles are relatively thick, shortened, covered with brown or brown scales. Sori are rounded, formed on the veins. The veil is thyroid or rounded.
Known species
Austrian dryopteris (Latin Dryopteris austriaca) is a native of the Caucasus. It can also be found in nature in the Primorsky Territory and the United States. Typical habitats are forest areas, damp areas, including swamps, river and lake banks. Used for medicinal purposes to obtain an extract that is effective against worms. The species is represented by pinnate, deltoid foliage with first-order lanceolate segments, second-order feathery segments, third-order dentate segments and, finally, yellowish petioles.
The Austrian dryworm has a subspecies subsp. Spinulosa. It is characterized by plants with bare, ovoid, short-pointed foliage, not exceeding the mark of 100 cm in length. It is characterized by a yellowish-green color, the absence of obvious glands and the presence of a fragile petiole, completely covered with brown films, which fall off over time. This subspecies is actively used in culture. It is used for decorating and landscaping shady and damp areas of the site.
Another interesting representative of the genus is the fragrant dryopteris (Latin Dryopteris fragrans). It can be found almost throughout Russia, as well as in China and Korea. Also, the considered representative of the genus is a frequent visitor to the United States. He loves mountain slopes and forests. The plant is characterized by short growth (up to a maximum of 30 cm), blue-green foliage of a linear or lanceolate shape, which has a pronounced but very pleasant smell. The foliage, by the way, has noticeable veins and a petiole, covered with brownish films.
Dryopteris buschiana (Latin Dryopteris buschiana) is found mainly in China, Korea, Japan and Sakhalin. Typical habitats are coniferous and mixed forests, as well as humid areas. The species is represented by large plants topped with shiny lanceolate foliage, collected in a lush rosette. Outwardly, the outlet is very much like a bowl. The height of Bush's dwarf does not exceed 100 cm, although there are more modest specimens, which largely depends on climatic conditions, especially the percentage of humidity.
Another type of fern is the crested dryopteris (Latin Dryopteris cristata). It grows mainly in European countries, the USA and Siberia. Most often found in swamps, wet and damp forests. The species is represented by low plants with a thick rhizome and dark green, naked, leathery, shiny, petiolate, pinnately dissected foliage, the segments of which are lanceolate long and short elongated.
