Native to Europe and northern , male fern is a deciduous perennial with medium green leaves, or fronds, which grow to 3-feet tall.  It prefers cool moist conditions in partial to full shade.  The name comes from the Greek words drys (oak) and pteris (fern) and refers to its occurrence in oak forests. The cultivar 'Parsley" has curly, distorted leaves on the fronds.

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