The wood fern's fronds are gracefully arching and colored lime to medium-green. They grow 2-3 ft. high and 8-12 in. wide and reach in all directions from clusters of stalks along the rhizome. The pinnae are almost twice cut and taper to a point. As winter approaches, the species takes on a bronze cast.

Wood Ferns are a great addition to a shade garden all year round and are especially suitable for wetland and water garden habitats.

They are called River Fern in areas west of east Texas, as they are only found along or near bodies of water. They are known as Wood Ferns in moist woods east of central Texas.