Dryopteris filix-mas (male fern) is a common fern of the temperate Northern Hemisphere, native to much of Europe, Asia, and North America. It favours damp shaded areas in the understory of woodlands, but also shady places on hedge-banks, rocks, and screes. It is much less abundant in North America than in Europe. The plant is sometimes referred to in ancient literature as worm fern. Its specific epithet filix-mas means "male fern (filix "fern", mas "male")", as the plant was thought to be the male version of the female fern, being robust in appearance and vigorous in growth.