// SPECIES PROFILE · PERENNIAL · NATIVE

Brittle bladderfern

Cystopteris fragilis

Brittle bladderfern (Cystopteris fragilis) is a perennial in the — family. Native range includes KS — verified against the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center native distribution database. Hardy in zones 1a–13a.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: —
Group: perennial
Native range: Native to 32 U.S. states, including AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, HI…
USDA hardiness: Zones 1a–13a
Mature size: —
Sun: Part shade
Water: —
Bloom: —
Wildlife value: Pollinator and wildlife support
Ecological role: native species profile

Brittle bladderfern (Cystopteris fragilis) — *Cystopteris fragilis* — Brittle bladderfern. Photo by Stan Shebs via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Why it's on this list: native species profile. Native-range data from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN), cross-checked against iNaturalist observations. Part of Rooted Revival's regional native plant catalog — true natives for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In the same native range, brittle bladderfern pairs naturally with: Common selfheal (Prunella vulgaris), Coon's tail (Ceratophyllum demersum), Fringed willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum), Fringed willowherb (Epilobium ciliatum ssp. ciliatum).