oak fern

noun

1. a small woodland fern, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, of northern regions, having triangular, pinnate fronds that slant horizontally.

oak fern

noun

1. a graceful light green polypody fern, Thelypteris dryopteris, having a creeping rhizome, found in acid woodlands and on rocks in the northern hemisphere

Word History and Origins

Origin of oak fern¹

1540–50; translation of Latin dryopteris < Greek dryopterís, equivalent to dryo- (combining form of drŷs oak) + ptéris fern

Example Sentences

So far as I remember, my first encounter with the Oak Fern was in a cedar swamp, famous for its growth of showy lady's-slippers.

From Project Gutenberg

As is often the case, having once discovered the haunt of the Oak Fern, it ceased to be a rarity.

From Project Gutenberg

Also the pinnæ are not arranged so definitely in the form of three branches, as is to be observed in the case of the Oak Fern.

From Project Gutenberg

The Oak Fern grows in a damp and shady spot in the garden, though it is often more happy in a pot.

From Project Gutenberg

The Oak Fern is common in many parts of Scotland, and is to be seen carpeting the ground of many a moist wood.

From Project Gutenberg