Polystichum aculeatum

Common name

Hard shield-fern

Polystichum aculeatum

© Natural History Museum

Latin names

Class

Pteridopsida

Order

Polypodiales

Family

Aspidiaceae

Genus

Polystichum

Species

aculeatum

Geographic details

Habitat

damp upland woods and scree

Soil type

alkaline

Distribution

Throughout British Isles

Native

Yes

General

Plant height

medium

Branched

No

Plant colour

deep green

Stipe description

very scaly

Habit

lvs shuttlecock

Conservation status

not threatened

Wikimedia Url

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystichum_aculeatum

Leaf details

Separate fertile leaves

No

Leaf shape

lanceolate

Pinnae

1-2-pinnate-pinnatisect

Wintergreen

Yes

Spore details

Spore size

40

Spore description

papillate

Homospore

Yes

Rhizome details

Rhizome description

short

Rhizome scales

very scaly stipe

Rhizome position

erect

Sori details

Sori shape

round

Sori place

along midrib

Indusium details

Indusium present

Yes

Indusium shape

round

Indusium description

thick, attached at centre