shield fern

American  

noun

1. any of numerous ferns of the genera Dryopteris and Polystichum, having shield-shaped indusia.

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shield fern British  

noun

1. any temperate woodland fern of the genus Polystichum having shield-shaped flaps covering the spore-producing bodies: family Aspleniaceae

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Etymology

Origin of shield fern

First recorded in 1805–15

Example Sentences

Ferns offer fine textures, and two tough evergreen species that are stellar in containers are Dryopteris erythrosora, autumn fern, and Polystichum setiferum ‘Divisilobum’, the divided soft shield fern.

From Seattle Times

The male fern resembles the marginal shield fern in outline, but the fronds are thinner, are not evergreen, and the sori are near the midvein.

From Project Gutenberg

Although the genus Polýstichum represents the true shield ferns, the wood ferns are also thus designated, as their indusia have nearly the shape of small, roundish shields.

From Project Gutenberg

Under this designation Clute has grouped three of the shield ferns, which have a close family resemblance, and has thus distinguished them from the wood ferns, which also belong to the shield fern family.

From Project Gutenberg