Species library · Plants & herbs

Foraging Broad Buckler-fern

Dryopteris dilatata

Typically in season from May to August in the northern hemisphere. Found in Woodland, Woodland edges, Wetland. Has toxic lookalikes, so check carefully.

Broad Buckler-fern (Dryopteris dilatata)

Photo: CC BY

When Broad Buckler-fern is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak May to August. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in July

Where it grows

Broad Buckler-fern is usually found in Woodland, Woodland edges, Wetland.

⚠ Look-alikes & safety

Toxic look-alikes: Male fern, Scaly male fern, Bracken. Only forage with a confident ID.

Take Broad Buckler-fern into the field

Open Broad Buckler-fern in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Broad Buckler-fern: common questions

When is Broad Buckler-fern in season?

Broad Buckler-fern is generally in season from May to August in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Broad Buckler-fern grow?

Broad Buckler-fern is usually found in Woodland, Woodland edges, Wetland.

Is Broad Buckler-fern safe to forage?

Toxic look-alikes: Male fern, Scaly male fern, Bracken. Only forage with a confident ID. Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits