Athyrium otophorum, commonly known as Eared Lady Fern, is a deciduous fern native to the forest floors and shaded slopes of East Asia. This species thrives under the canopy of moist deciduous forests, often alongside streams or in shaded ravines. It typically forms a tufted, oval clump reaching up to 20 inches in both height and width. The fronds are triangular and display a unique color transition from pale green when they first unfurl to a grey-green as they mature, with distinctive maroon stems that add a subtle contrast.

Eared Lady Fern is valued for its delicate texture and the subtle coloration of its fronds, making it an attractive choice for woodland gardens, shaded borders, and as an understory plant in moist areas. It has proven to be hardy down to −10 °C and is appreciated for its ease of maintenance and tolerance of partial shade. While it prefers moist, well-drained soil, it is relatively adaptable and can thrive in a variety of soil conditions provided they are not waterlogged. The plant has received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its exceptional performance in UK gardens. It is not known for significant pest or disease problems, but can suffer from root rot if planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0