Broad Beech Fern

(Phegopteris hexagonoptera)

Status: Special Concern (ESA 2008, COSEWIC 1983)

Table of Contents:

Species Identification
Habitat and Biology
Threats/Reasons for Being at Risk
Conservation and Recovery Strategies
Why You Should Care
How You Can Help

Species Identification:

The Broad Beech Fern is a perennial fern that grows to be approximately 50 cm tall. The leaves (fronds) are green and triangular shaped, and as wide or wider than they are long. The individual leaves (leaflets) that make each fern frond are usually arranged opposite to each other on either side of the main frond stem, but not always. This fern is special in that the leaflets that make up the frond are directly attached to the main frond stem by leaf tissue, rather than a smaller stem of their own. This trait is referred to as a “winged rachis” (meaning “winged” main frond stem). Fronds grow from an underground horizontal stem called a rhizome. The Broad Beech Fern is distinguishable from other fern species in Canada by the leafy edging around the main stem (winged rachis) attaching to each leaflet.

Habitat and Biology:

The Broad Beech Fern is found only in North America, and within Canada it occurs in southern Quebec and southern Ontario. There have been 71 recorded occurrences of the Broad Beech Fern in Ontario, but only 21 of those have been within the last 20 years. The only place this fern can be found in The Land Between is in the remaining forested patches in southern Muskoka.

It is primarily associated with undisturbed, well shaded forests dominated by Maple and Beech, and prefers moist, moderately acidic, nutrient-rich soils. These locations are mainly forests in low lying areas like valleys and swamps. Broad Beech Ferns reproduce sexually in the late summer by releasing spores into the air, or asexually by growing new ferns out of an underground stem. Young fronds, or fiddleheads, surface in May.

Map taken from Government of Ontario:https://www.ontario.ca/page/broad-beech-fern

Threats/ Reasons for being at Risk:

1. Habitat loss and degradation: Habitat loss and degradation resulting from residential development, natural resource extraction, and forestry operations pose the greatest threat to the Broad Beech Fern. A loss of canopy cover or mature forests results in an increase in light exposure, which changes to the soil temperature and moisture levels, making the habitat unsuitable for the Broad Beech Fern. Remaining undeveloped forest areas are also impacted by human use for recreational purposes, exposing the fern to trampling and soil compaction.

2. Invasive species: Invasive species such as Garlic Mustard, Periwinkle, Dog-strangling Vine, and Japanese Barberry all pose a threat to the Broach Beech Fern. These species can outcompete the fern and other native species for space, light, water, and nutrients. Invasive earthworms also have the potential to threaten the Broad Beech Fern through alteration of the soil chemistry and structure. These changes could directly impact the fern, and impact the growth of other species in the forest that it depends on for shade.

3. Diseases: Heavy forest disturbance resulting from the death and/or removal of trees impacted by diseases or pests such as Beech bark disease, Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Long-Horned Beetle, and Gypsy Moth has resulted in canopy openings and soil disturbance in the habitat of the fern, exposing the plant to more light then is suitable for optimal growth.

4. Climate change: Increased frequency of drought and severe weather events as a result of the continued effects of climate change have the potential to threaten the Broad Beech Fern. The increased frequency of drought has the potential to threaten the moist habitat required both for optimal growth of the fern, and for successful sexual reproduction. This is because a layer of moisture must be present on the sexual form of the plant in order for fertilization to occur.

Conservation and recovery strategies:

The Broad Beech Fern has been included as a secondary conservation target in the Conservation Action Plans of several regions where it occurs. Measures such as public outreach and habitat restoration are expected to indirectly benefit the Broad Beech Fern. Best Management Practices for the Broad Beech Fern on crown land include maintaining an undisturbed canopy and minimizing soil disturbance. These have been developed and outlined in the Forest Management Guide for Conserving Biodiversity at the Stand and Site Scales.

Why You Should Care:

Species listed as “Special Concern” such as the Broad Beech Fern are species that are not yet threatened with extirpation or extinction and still have a good chance of recovery. Now is the time to take the necessary steps to prevent this species from further impact or decline.
A decline or loss of any species is a tragedy, but the Broad Beech fern is one of only 114 species of fern found in Canada, and one of only 75 found in Ontario.

How can you help?

Learn how to identify the Broad Beech Fern and report sightings to The Land Between or iNaturalist with a photo and a GPS coordinate of where it was found.
When walking, hiking, ATVing or snowmobiling, stay on marked, maintained paths to avoid tramping on Broad Beech Fern and other Species at Risk.
Landowners: consider leaving the forest on your property intact. As habitat loss and degradation is the largest threat to this species, every bit of intact suitable habitat helps!
Do not transfer firewood of any sort, including Black Ash. Burn it where you buy or cut it. This will help limit the spread of the Emerald Ash Borer to other, potentially unaffected areas of Ontario.