Common nameHard shield-fern Polystichum aculeatum © Natural History Museum Latin names ClassPteridopsida OrderPolypodiales FamilyAspidiaceae GenusPolystichum Speciesaculeatum Geographic details Habitatdamp upland woods and scree Soil typealkaline DistributionThroughout British Isles NativeYes General Plant heightmedium BranchedNo Plant colourdeep green Stipe descriptionvery scaly Habitlvs shuttlecock Conservation statusnot threatened Wikimedia Urlhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polystichum_aculeatum Leaf details Separate fertile leavesNo Leaf shapelanceolate Pinnae1-2-pinnate-pinnatisect WintergreenYes Spore details Spore size40 Spore descriptionpapillate HomosporeYes Rhizome details Rhizome descriptionshort Rhizome scalesvery scaly stipe Rhizome positionerect Sori details Sori shaperound Sori placealong midrib Indusium details Indusium presentYes Indusium shaperound Indusium descriptionthick, attached at centre