HappyTeacher, I have ferns in my front yard that I purchased 12 years ago that look like this. Mine are Southern Woodland Ferns, about 4 feet tall, taller if help up straight. They are beautiful soft ferns with lovely movement in the wind. We live north of Atlanta, in the Mareitta area. I have a dense patch now but I love that they spread, they frame my front walkway. Enjoy.

Yes!!!! This is it,Suzanne. I googled this fern and it is exactly what I have. I am so excited to finally know it’s name. I have never seen one like it anywhere before. thanks for responding.

Could it be Mariana Maiden Fern? I have this fern and it spreads quite easily. Mine is about 3 – 4 feet tall. It’s one of my favorites!

Angelyn… thanks for your research. I agree with you about it being in the Wood Fern family. I’ve googled and searched tons of photos. I still haven’t seen one exactly like mine, but this is as close to identification as I’ve been. I’m just puzzled that it just appeared one year out of nowhere. The 2nd year started moving new plants to new areas of my property and they’ve done quite well everywhere. New ones love to appear in crevices of my retaining wall and others just pop up pretty far away from a parent plant. Love them and I’ve shared them with tons of people. Thanks again!

I searched through three field guides to ferns. The best I can tell after using the key in the Peterson Field Guide to Ferns is that this is in the Dryopteris genus (a wood fern). The species can only be determined by knowing some more characteristics relating to the sori (spore-bearing parts).

Thanks for responding & more information: Buck — We can rule out bracken fern. This fern is not a walking fern and it is not common. Not only have I not seen this fern in a nursery, I should point out… I have never seen this fern ANYWHERE! Bobby — your question is intriguing… I live on some acreage that hadn’t been “developed” until I/we arrived about 12 years ago. This property was once part of a large land lot that was deeded under Georgia’s land lottery to a family of orphans. There is an old homestead on the other end of our property — about 1/4 mile away.

Just curious, is this growing inside the remains of an old barn or homestead?

This appears to be Southern Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum var. pseudocaudatum). It spreads quite fast, as you said, and is very pretty, but can become a pest if not contained. Buck

My typo… should read — I have NEVER seen this species in any nursery.