The plant body of Dryopteris is a sporophyte (2n). It is differentiated into root, stem and leaves.
Root
Roots are adventitious. They are slender and much branched growing profusely from the rhizome.
Stem
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The stem is a short, stout, blunt and unbranched rhizome (under ground stem) measuring about 30 cm in length. The rhizome grows obliquely upwards through the soil surface forming an erect part called, caudex. The rhizome is covered by brown and chaffy scales called ramenta. The lower part of the rhizome bears persistent leaf bases.
Leaves
Leaves are borne by prominent petiole which develops acropetally at the apex of rhizome. Leaves (fronds) are pinnately compound and criminate (rolled from the apex downwards) when young. The continuation of the petiole is referred to as rachis.
The rachis bears the leaflets or pinnate in two lateral rows. Each pinna has deep and complete incisions to form numerous independent segments called pinnules.
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The young petiole and leaf-lets are covered with numerous brownish scales called ramenta. Scales are protective in function. At maturity the leaves bear the sporangia (spore bearing structure) on the under surface of its pinnules. Such fertile leaves are known as sporophylls.