VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Athyrium filix-femina | Lady Fern 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
The fronds of lady fern provide a food source for grizzly bears
[5,19,30].  Roosevelt elk consume lady fern in the fall on the Olympic
Peninsula, but it is not a major food species [32].  It is listed as
fair elk and deer food in the Olympic National Forest of Washington
[14].  Lady fern contains filicic acid and therefore may be poisonous to
some classes of livestock [14,28].


PALATABILITY : 
NO-ENTRY


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


COVER VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
NO-ENTRY


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Silvicutural treatments have had variable effects on lady fern.  In
western Montana lady fern was absent from logged redcedar (Thuja
plicata) sites, but in black spruce (Picea mariana) clearcuts in
Ontario, Canada, lady fern was present only on the logged sites [8].
Lady fern is a major competing species in boreal and sub-boreal spruce
(Picea spp.) forests.  Scarification decreases presence and height of
lady fern, thereby benefitting tree regeneration [7].

Lady fern may indicate high mass wasting potential when found growing
vigorously or in significant numbers (coverage of 10 percent or more).
Its absence, however, does not imply slope stability [27].

Related categories for Species: Athyrium filix-femina | Lady Fern