autumn fern

noun

: a shield fern (Dryopteris erythrosora) native to eastern Asia that is widely cultivated as an ornamental for its triangular, evergreen fronds which are copper-colored when young before turning a glossy, dark green

Autumn fern has colorful fronds that emerge copper-colored in spring, then unfurl with a pinkish tinge before turning glossy green in summer.

—Jan Riggenbach, Daily Herald (Chicago, Illinois), 21 Dec. 2008

called also Japanese shield fern

Word History

First Known Use

1929, in the meaning defined above

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