Family: Athyriaceae

Origin: E N America and E Asia

This frequently-grown fern has a creeping rhizome from which arise sterile leaves up to about 3 ft (90 cm) long, with long stalks. The fertile leaves are different in appearance, with the spore-producing segments curled into balls. This gives the fern its common name of bead fern. The plant favours damp ground.

The photograph shows only sterile leaves (fronds).