Dryopteris

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{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Wood Ferns | image = Dryopteris filix-mas.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas) | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Pteridophyta | classis = Pteridopsida | ordo = Dryopteridales | familia = Dryopteridaceae | genus = Dryopteris | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = See text. }}

Dryopteris (commonly called Male Ferns and Buckler Ferns) is a genus of about 150 species of ferns with distribution in the temperate northern hemisphere. Many ferns of this genus have stout, slowly-creeping rootstocks that form a crown, with a vase-like ring of fronds. The sori are round, with a peltate indusium. The stipes have prominent scales.

Hybridization is a well-known phenomenon within this group, with many species are formed by hybridization.

Many Dryopteris species are highly desired as garden ornamental plants, especially the following:

D. erythrosa - autumn fern, often sold in garden outlets
D. filix-mas - a very popular garden fern in the British Isles and Europe, with very many cultivars

Dryopteris filix-mas was throughout much of recent human history widely used as a vermifuge, and was the only fern listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia.

Dryopteris species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Sthenopis auratus.

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