Ferns Browser

Botrychium lunaria
Psilotopsida
Ophioglossales
Ophioglossaceae
Botrychium
lunaria

(L) Swartz
Moonwort


Botrychiaceae
1
Spike
linear-oblong


single crown

upright
open areas
alkaline
Throughout British Isles
1





1
small
0
1-pinnate
light green

succulent
not threatened
0
0
solitary, upright

Ophioglossum vulgatum
Psilotopsida
Ophioglossales
Ophioglossaceae
Ophioglossum
vulgatum

L.
Adder's tongue



1
Spike
ovate to ovate-lanceolate


colonial creeping stolons

upright
Wide range
alkaline
Throughout British Isles
1





1
small
0
no pinnae
mid-green


not threatened
0
0
colonial, lvs erect

Ophioglossum azoricum
Psilotopsida
Ophioglossales
Ophioglossaceae
Ophioglossum
azoricum

C. Presl
Small adder's tongue



1
Spike
ovate to elliptic-lanceolate


colonial creeping stolons

upright
Maritime
alkaline
N and W Britain
1





1
small
0
no pinnae
mid-green


vulnerable
0
0
colonial, lvs erect

Ophioglossum lusitanicum
Psilotopsida
Ophioglossales
Ophioglossaceae
Ophioglossum
lusitanicum

L.
Least adder's tongue



1
Spike
elliptic


colonial creeping stolons

upright
Maritime
alkaline
Scilly, Guernsey
1





1
small
0
no pinnae
yellow green


Protected
0
1
colonial, lvs erect

Osmunda regalis
Pteridopsida
Osmundales
Osmundaceae
Osmunda
regalis

L.
Royal fern



1
no lamina
ovate-oblong


branching clumps

erect
wetlands
acidic
Throughout British Isles
1





1
large
0
2-pinnate
light green

1/2 lf. len. no hairs or scales
threatened by land drainage
0
0
lvs clustered in massive clumps

Cryptogramma crispa
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Adiantaceae
Cryptogramma
crispa

(L.)R.Br.
Parsley fern



1
ovate-triangular
linear-oblong


branching group of crowns
long-triangular pale brown
semi-erect
rocks and walls
acidic
Lake district, Wales, Scotland
1


along ends of vein


1
small
0
3-4 pinnate
light green

slender, brittle
not threatened
0
0
lvs densely clustered

Anogramma leptophylla
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Adiantaceae
Anogramma
leptophylla

(L) Link
Jersey fern


Gymnogrammaceae
1
trilobed,dissected and erect
trilobed and lax


small tufted annual
hair-like
semi-erect
open areas
tolerant
Jersey, Guernsey
1


along ends of vein


1
small
0
2-pinnate-pinnatifid
yellow green


vulnerable
0
0
small tufted annual

Adiantum capillus-veneris
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Adiantaceae
Adiantum
capillus-veneris

L.
Maiden-hair fern



0
deltoid



slender short
clathrate, brown, triangular
creeping
frost-free wet
alkaline
SW, W England, Ireland, Wales
1


along ends of vein


1
small
0
1-3-pinnate
light green


vulnerable
0
0
erect or pendulous tufted

Pilularia globulifera
Pteridopsida
Salviniales
Marsileaceae
Pilularia
globulifera

L.
Pillwort



1
globose Sporocarp at base
filiform


slender long

creeping
Lake margin
acidic
scattered
1





0
small
0
no pinnae
mid-green


Protected
0
1
dense turf

Hymenophyllum tunbrigense
Pteridopsida
Hymenophyllales
Hymenophyllaceae
Hymenophyllum
tunbrigense

(L) Sm.
Tunbridge filmy fern



0
ovate-oblong


green
wiry long

creeping
steep rock faces high humidity low altitude
acidic
W England Ireland
1
lipped pocket
irregularly toothed lip
edge of pinna segments


1
small
0
1-pinnate
blue green


vulnerable
0
1
lvs hanging laxly at intervals

Hymenophyllum wilsonii
Pteridopsida
Hymenophyllales
Hymenophyllaceae
Hymenophyllum
wilsonii

Hooker
Wilson's filmy fern



0
linear


green
wiry long

creeping
steep rock faces high humidity low altitude
acidic
Lake district, W Wales, Scotland, Ireland
1
lipped pocket
entire lip
edge of pinna segments


1
small
0
1-pinnate
olive green


not threatened
0
1
arching lvs at intervals

Trichomanes speciosum
Pteridopsida
Hymenophyllales
Hymenophyllaceae
Trichomanes
speciosum

Willd.
Killarney Bristle Fern


Trichomanaceae
0
ovate-lanceolate



slender branching
dark hair-like
creeping
in crevices sheltered damp
acidic
very few W Britain; W Ireland
1
flask
receptacle protruding as bristle
edge of pinna segments


1
small
0
2-3-pinnate
deep green


Protected
0
1
upright lvs at intervals

Polypodium vulgare
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Polypodiaceae
Polypodium
vulgare

L.
Common Polypody



0
lanceolate-linear



stout branched scaly
narrowly triangular acute apex
creeping
banks, trees, outcrops
tolerant
Throughout British Isles
1
round
paraphyses lacking
upper leaf


1
medium
0
pinnatisect
mid-green


not threatened
0
1
upright lvs at intervals

Polypodium interjectum
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Polypodiaceae
Polypodium
interjectum

Shivas
Intermediate Polypody



0
ovate-oval



stout branched scaly
narrowly triangular acute apex
creeping
banks, trees, outcrops
tolerant
Throughout British Isles
1
oval
paraphyses lacking
upper leaf


1
medium
0
pinnatisect
mid-green


not threatened
0
1
upright lvs at intervals

Polypodium cambricum
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Polypodiaceae
Polypodium
cambricum

L.
Southern Polypody



0
ovate-deltoid



stout branched scaly
narrowly triangular wispy apex
creeping
rock faces
alkaline
lowland S and W Britain; scattered Ireland
1
oval
paraphyses present
upper leaf


1
medium
0
pinnatisect
yellow green


not threatened
0
0
upright lvs at intervals

Pteridium aquilinium
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Dennstaedtiaceae
Pteridium
aquilinium


Bracken


Hypolepidaceae
0
oblong-lanceolate to ovate-triangular



colonial branched deep
lacking, hairs only
clumping
open areas

Throughout British Isles
1
continuous round

marginal
continuous round pinnule
membranous fringed
1
large
1
2-3-pinnate-pinnatifid
grey-green
glabrous
dark at base -> red-brown to green
not threatened
1
0
upright lvs intermittant

Pteridium aquilinium latiusculum
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Dennstaedtiaceae
Pteridium
aquilinium
latiusculum

Northern Bracken



0
deltate



colonial branched deep
lacking, hairs only
clumping
Pine forest
acidic
W Scotland
1
continuous round

marginal
continuous round pinnule
membranous fringed
1
large
1
2-3-pinnate-pinnatifid
grass green
glabrous
dark at base -> red-brown to green; wiry
not threatened
1
0
upright lvs intermittant

Thelypteris palustris
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Thelypteridaceae
Thelypteris
palustris

Schott
Marsh fern



1
lanceolate
lanceolate,narrow pinnae


slender branching
broadly triangular acute apex
creeping
wetlands

Throughout British Isles
1
round

mid-way segment and margin
round-oblong
small delicate; margin irregular
1
medium
0
1-pinnate-pinnatisect
light green


threatened by land drainage
1
0
upright lvs at intervals

Phegopteris connectilis
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Thelypteridaceae
Phegopteris
connectilis


Beech fern
phegopteris
Thelypteris

0
ovate-triangular



slender branching
ovate colourless
creeping
moist shady

Locally frequent W Britain
1
round

marginal


1
medium
0
1-pinnate-pinnatisect
light green


not threatened
0
0
upright lvs at intervals

Oreopteris limbosperma
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Thelypteridaceae
Oreopteris
limbosperma


Lemon-scented fern

Thelypteris

0
elliptic-oblanceolate



short branching
white or pale brown
upright
open wood; damp peaty
acidic
Throughout British Isles
1
round

marginal

rudimentary or absent
1
medium
0
1-pinnate-pinnatisect
yellow green


not threatened
0
0
cluster

Asplenium scolopendrium
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspleniaceae
Asplenium
scolopendrium


Hart's-tongue fern



0
lanceolate-linear



short stocky branching
linear-triangular pale brown
erect
Maritime
alkaline
Throughout British Isles
1
linear
in close pairs between veins
halfway rachis and margin
linear
membranous
1
medium
0
no pinnae
mid-green

purple-black; scaly below
not threatened
1
1
irregular cluster

Asplenium adiantum-nigrum
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspleniaceae
Asplenium
adiantum-nigrum


Black spleenwort

Asplenium

0
ovate-triangular



short
triangular-lanceolate
creeping
rocks and walls
alkaline
Throughout British Isles
1
linear-oblong

on lateral veins closer to midrib
linear-oblong
entire
1
small
0
2-3-pinnate
mid-green

glabrous; black -> red-brown
not threatened
1
1
loose tuft

Asplenium onopteris
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspleniaceae
Asplenium
onopteris


Acute-leaved Spleenwort



0
ovate-triangular



short
triangular-lanceolate
creeping
lowland;light shade; scrub
neutral
SW Ireland
0
oblong

on lateral veins closer to midrib
linear-oblong
entire
1
small
0
3-pinnate
mid-green

glabrous; black -> red-brown
Rare
1
1
loose tuft

Asplenium obovatum lanceolatum
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspleniaceae
Asplenium
obovatum
lanceolatum

Lanceolate spleenwort



0
lanceolate

33-38

short branching
narrowly triangular-lanceolate
creeping
Maritime
acidic
SW Britain; Channel Isles
1
linear-oblong

on lateral veins closer to margin
linear-oblong
entire
1
medium
0
2-pinnate
mid-green

glabrous; black -> red-brown
not common
1
1
compact tuft

Asplenium marinum
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspleniaceae
Asplenium
marinum


Sea spleenwort



0
lanceolate



short
narrowly triangular lustrous
ascending
Maritime

W coastal
1
linear-oblong

midleaf
linear-oblong
entire margin
1
small
0
1-pinnate
mid-green
green narrowly winged
shiny purple-brown
not threatened
1
1
tufted

Asplenium trichomanes trichomanes
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspleniaceae
Asplenium
trichomanes
trichomanes

Delicate Maidenhair spleenwort



0
linear-elliptic



short
central red-brown stripe
upright
rock faces
acidic
acid rocks W Wales; lake district
1
linear-oblong

along vein
narrow; delicate

1
small
0
1-pinnate
mid-green
black-brown; narrow wing down either sid
glossy; thin wiry red-brown; persistent
not threatened
1
1
dense tuft

Asplenium trichomanes quadrivalens
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspleniaceae
Asplenium
trichomanes
quadrivalens

Common Maidenhair spleenwort



0
linear-elliptic



short
central red-brown stripe
upright
rocks and walls
tolerant
Throughout British Isles
1
linear-oblong

along vein
broad; conspicuous

1
small
0
1-pinnate
mid-green
black-brown; narrow wing down either sid
glossy; thick wiry dark-brown; persistent
not threatened
1
1
dense tuft

Asplenium trichomanes pachyrachis
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspleniaceae
Asplenium
trichomanes
pachyrachis

Lobed Maidenhair spleenwort



0
lanceolate-linear



short
central red-brown stripe
upright
rock faces
alkaline
Locally frequent W Britain
1
oblong

along vein
broad; conspicuous

1
small
0
1-pinnate
mid-green


vulnerable
1
1
dense tuft

Asplenium trichomanes-ramosum
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspleniaceae
Asplenium
trichomanes-ramosum

L.
Green Spleenwort
viride


0
lanceolate-linear



short
central dark brown stripe
upright
rock faces
alkaline
North of Severn-Wash
1
oblong-ovate

along vein
broad; conspicuous

1
medium
0
1-pinnate
light green


not threatened
1
0
dense tuft

Asplenium ruta-muraria
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspleniaceae
Asplenium
ruta-muraria

L
Wall Rue



0
ovate-triangular



short
lustrous, bluish grey
creeping
rock faces
tolerant
Throughout British Isles
1
linear
2-6 per segment
along vein
linear-oblong

1
small
0
2-3-pinnate
blue green
green, occasional stalked glands

not threatened
1
1
compact tuft

Asplenium septentrionale
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspleniaceae
Asplenium
septentrionale

(L.)Hoffm.
Forked Spleenwort



0
forked



short branching
lustrous, purple grey
creeping
rock faces
alkaline
on Silurian rocks in N. Wales, Lake dist
1
linear

along segment
linear
entire
1
medium
0
1-pinnate
deep green


Protected
1
1
many crowns, tufted

Asplenium ceterach
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspleniaceae
Asplenium
ceterach

L.
Rustyback



0
elliptic-oblanceolate



short
ovate-lanceolate
ascending
wet rocks and walls
alkaline
SW W England Ireland Wales
1
linear-oblong
covered by overlapping scales
along vein
linear-oblong
rudimentary or absent
1
small
0
pinnatisect
light green


not threatened
1
1
dense tuft

Athyrium filix-femina
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Athyriaceae
Athyrium
filix-femina

(L) Roth
Lady Fern



0
elliptic-lanceolate


minutely scabrid
short
triangular-lanceolate
erect
near water
tolerant
Throughout British Isles
1
linear-oblong
often J-shaped
close to vein
linear-oblong
membranous
1
medium
0
2-3-pinnate
mid-green


not threatened
1
0
dense cluster

Athyrium distentifolium var. distentifolium
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Athyriaceae
Athyrium
distentifolium
var. distentifolium
Tausch ex Opiz
Alpine Lady Fern



0
elliptic-lanceolate



short branching
triangular-lanceolate
erect
N facing corries
acidic
NW Scotland
1
round

along vein


1
medium
0
2-3-pinnate
pale to yellow-green


not threatened
0
0
clumps of crowns

Athyrium distentifolium var. flexile
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Athyriaceae
Athyrium
distentifolium
var. flexile
Tausch ex Opiz
Flexile Alpine Lady Fern



0
elliptic



short branching
triangular-lanceolate
erect
N facing corries
acidic
NW Scotland
1
round

along vein


1
medium
0
2-pinnate
pale to yellow-green


not threatened
0
0
loose clumps often deflexed

Gymnocarpium dryopteris
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Gymnocarpium
dryopteris

(L.)Newman
Oak Fern



0
triangular



slender branching
colourless
creeping
cool moist open woodland, mountain streams
tolerant
SW W England Ireland Wales
1
round

along vein


1
medium
0
2-pinnate-pinnatisect
mid-green


not threatened
0
0
large clonal colonies, lvs single

Gymnocarpium robertianum
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Gymnocarpium
robertianum

(Hoffm.)Newman
Limestone Oak Fern



0
triangular



slender branching
colourless
creeping
wet rocks and walls
alkaline
SW W England Ireland Wales
1
round

on lateral veins closer to midrib


1
medium
0
2-pinnate-pinnatisect
grey-green


not threatened
0
0
lvs single

Cystopteris fragilis
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Athyriaceae
Cystopteris
fragilis

(L) Bernh.
Brittle Bladder fern


Cystopteridaceae
0
elliptic-lanceolate


spinulose
short branching
triangular-lanceolate
creeping
moist shady crevices
tolerant
Throughout British Isles, rare SE
1
ovoid

on lateral veins closer to midrib
ovoid
acute or lacerate at apex
1
medium
0
2-pinnate
mid-green


not threatened
1
0
lvs open cluster

Cystopteris dickieana
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Athyriaceae
Cystopteris
dickieana

R. Sim
Dickie's Bladder Fern


Cystopteridaceae
0
oblong-lanceolate


rugose
short branching
triangular-lanceolate
creeping
Maritime
alkaline
W Scotland
1
ovoid

on vein that runs into sinus
ovoid
acute or lacerate at apex
1
medium
0
2-pinnate
mid-green


Protected
1
0
lvs open cluster

Cystopteris montana
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Athyriaceae
Cystopteris
montana

(Lam.)Desv
Mountain Bladder Fern


Cystopteridaceae
0
ovate-triangular


rounded protuberances
slender branching
fringed with glands
creeping
wet alpine N-facing
alkaline
W Scotland
1
ovoid

on lateral veins closer to midrib
ovoid
acute or lacerate at apex
1
medium
0
2-4-pinnate-pinnatisect



vulnerable
1
0
lvs single

Woodsia ilvensis
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Athyriaceae
Woodsia
ilvensis

(L.)R. Br.
Oblong Woodsia


Woodsiaceae
0
oblong-lanceolate



tufted with few crowns
triangular-lanceolate
upright
arctic alpine cliffs
acidic
mountains N British Isles
1
round
often covering segment
on lateral vein
round
margin deeply cut
1
small
0
2-pinnate
deep green


Protected
1
1
tufted

Woodsia alpina
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Athyriaceae
Woodsia
alpina

(Bolton) S.F.Gray
Alpine Woodsia


Woodsiaceae
0
oblong-lanceolate



tufted with few crowns
triangular-lanceolate
upright
arctic alpine cliffs
acidic
mountains N British Isles
1
round

towards apex of segment
round
margin deeply cut
1
small
0
2-pinnate
mid-green


Protected
1
1
tufted

Polystichum lonchitis
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Polystichum
lonchitis

(L.)Roth
Holly Fern



0
lanceolate-linear

40
papillate
short
very scaly stipe
erect
high mountains
alkaline
Rare in W.Ireland, N.Wales,N.England, Scotland
1
round

in row either side of midrib
round
thick, attached at centre
1
small
0
1-pinnate
deep green

very scaly
Rare
1
1
lvs shuttlecock

Polystichum aculeatum
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Polystichum
aculeatum

(L.)Roth
Hard shield-fern



0
lanceolate

40
papillate
short
very scaly stipe
erect
damp upland woods and scree
alkaline
Throughout British Isles
1
round

along midrib
round
thick, attached at centre
1
medium
0
1-2-pinnate-pinnatisect
deep green

very scaly
not threatened
1
1
lvs shuttlecock

Polystichum setiferum
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Polystichum
setiferum

(Forskal)Woynar
Soft shield-fern



0
lanceolate


papillate
short
very scaly stipe
erect
damp lowland
tolerant
Throughout British Isles
1
round

in row either side of midrib
round
thick, attached at centre
1
medium
0
2-pinnate
light green

very scaly
not threatened
1
1
lvs shuttlecock

Dryopteris oreades
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Dryopteris
oreades

Fomin
Mountain Male Fern


Dryopteridaceae
0
ovate-lanceolate



short branching
apex acute, pale grey-brown
ascending
high mountains
tolerant
Throughout British Isles
1
round

inner part of pinnule on top part of leaf
round
thick, margin entire
1
medium
0
1-pinnate-pinnatisect
mid-green

scaly
not threatened
1
0
lvs shuttlecock

Dryopteris filix-mas
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Dryopteris
filix-mas

(L.)Schott
Male fern


Dryopteridaceae
0
ovate-lanceolate



short
mixture of broad and narrow
erect
widespread
tolerant
Throughout British Isles
1
round

inner part of pinnule on top part of leaf
round
thin, margin entire
1
medium
0
1-pinnate-pinnatisect
grey-green

scaly
not threatened
1
0
lvs shuttlecock

Dryopteris affinis affinis
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Dryopteris
affinis
affinis
(Lowe)Fraser-Jenkins
Western Scaly Male Fern


Dryopteridaceae
0
ovate-lanceolate



short
dark gold, very dense
erect
Woodland, open hill, scree
tolerant
Throughout British Isles, not E
1
kidney

in row either side of midrib
kidney
thick, persistent
1
large
0
1-pinnate-pinnatisect


scaly
not threatened
1
0
lvs shuttlecock

Dryopteris affinis paleaceo-lobata
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Dryopteris
affinis
paleaceo-lobata
(Lowe)Fraser-Jenkins
Greater Western Scaly Male Fern


Dryopteridaceae
0
lanceolate



short
dark gold or reddish
erect
Woodland, open hill, scree
tolerant
Throughout British Isles, not E
1
kidney

in row either side of midrib
kidney
thick, persistent
1
large
0
1-pinnate-pinnatisect


scaly
not threatened
1
0
lvs shuttlecock

Dryopteris affinis borreri
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Dryopteris
affinis
borreri
(Lowe)Fraser-Jenkins
Borrer's Scaly Male Fern


Dryopteridaceae
0
oblong-lanceolate



short
pale gold, dark base
erect
Woodland, open hill, scree
tolerant
Throughout British Isles
1
kidney

in row either side of midrib
kidney
thin, low
1
large
0
1-pinnate-pinnatisect


scaly
not threatened
1
0
lvs shuttlecock

Dryopteris affinis robusta
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Dryopteris
affinis
robusta
(Lowe)Fraser-Jenkins
Robust Scaly Male Fern


Dryopteridaceae
0
ovate-lanceolate



short
gold, dark base
erect
Woodland, open hill, scree
alkaline
Throughout British Isles
1
kidney

in row either side of midrib
kidney
thin, low
1
large
0
1-pinnate-pinnatisect


scaly
not threatened
1
0
lvs shuttlecock

Dryopteris affinis cambrensis
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Dryopteris
affinis
cambrensis
(Lowe)Fraser-Jenkins
Narrow Scaly Male Fern


Dryopteridaceae
0
elliptic-oblanceolate



short
gold to red, dense
erect
Woodland, open hill, scree
tolerant
Throughout British Isles
1
kidney

in row either side of midrib
kidney
medium, wavy margin
1
large
0
1-pinnate-pinnatisect


scaly
not threatened
1
0
lvs shuttlecock

Dryopteris aemula
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Dryopteris
aemula

(Aiton)O.Kunze
Hay-scented Buckler Fern


Dryopteridaceae
0
ovate-triangular



short
narrowly triangular
erect
Lowland woods
acidic
SW W England Ireland Wales
1
kidney

on lateral veins closer to midrib
kidney
jagged margin
1
medium
0
3-pinnate-pinnatifid
mid-green

slender base
not threatened
1
1
lvs shuttlecock

Dryopteris submontana
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Dryopteris
submontana

(Fraser-Jenkins & Jermy)
Rigid Buckler Fern


Dryopteridaceae
0
triangular-lanceolate



branching
long-pointed, mixture of sizes
semi-erect
Scree
alkaline
N. Wales, NW. England
1
kidney

in row either side of midrib
kidney
glandular
1
medium
0
2-pinnate
grey-green

enlarged base
Rare
1
0
lvs shuttlecock

Dryopteris cristata
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Dryopteris
cristata

(L.)A.Gray
Fen Buckler Fern


Dryopteridaceae
0
linear-lanceolate, pinnae horizontal
linear-lanceolate


branching
sparse, broad, acuminate apex
creeping
fens, marshes, wet heaths
acidic
E. Anglia, NW Britain
1
kidney

in row either side of midrib
kidney
thin, margin entire
1
medium
0
1-2-pinnate
light green

enlarged base
Rare
1
0
few erect lvs.

Dryopteris carthusiana
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Dryopteris
carthusiana

(Vill.)H.P.Fuchs
Narrow buckler-fern


Dryopteridaceae
0
lanceolate



branching
sparse, pale brown
creeping
wet woodlands, fens
acidic
Locally common
1
kidney

in row either side of midrib
kidney
thin, margin entire
1
medium
0
2-pinnate-pinnatisect
yellow green

enlarged base
Rare
1
0
few erect lvs.

Dryopteris dilatata
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Dryopteris
dilatata

(Hoffm.)A.Gray
Broad Buckler Fern


Dryopteridaceae
0
ovate-triangular



short
ovate-deltate, acuminate apex
erect
moist shady crevices, woods
tolerant
Throughout British Isles
1
kidney

singly along lateral veins
kidney
dentate
1
variable
0
3-pinnate
deep green

scaly
not threatened
1
0
lvs shuttlecock

Dryopteris expansa
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Dryopteris
expansa

(Fraser-Jenkins & Jermy)
Northern Buckler Fern
assimilis

Dryopteridaceae
0
ovate-triangular



short
ovate-deltate, acuminate apex
erect
damp upland woods and scree
tolerant
scattered in uplands
1
kidney

singly along lateral veins
kidney
dentate
1
large
0
2-pinnate-pinnatifid
mid-green

scaly
Rare
1
0
lvs shuttlecock

Dryopteris remota
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Aspidiaceae
Dryopteris
remota

(A.Braun ex Doll)Druce
Scaly Buckler Fern


Dryopteridaceae
0
triangular-lanceolate



short
triangular-lanceolate
erect
damp lowland
tolerant
very rare, not known
1
kidney

on lateral veins closer to midrib
kidney
convex
1
medium
0
2-pinnate
deep green

scaly
very rare
1
0
lvs shuttlecock

Blechnum spicant
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Blechnaceae
Blechnum
spicant

(L) Roth
Hard-fern



1
elliptic-lanceolate, erect
elliptic-lanceolate, spreading


tufted with few crowns
triangular-lanceolate
erect
widespread
acidic
Throughout British Isles
1
linear

whole length pinnae
linear
enclosing entire sorus
1
medium
0
1-pinnate
deep green

scaly at base
not threatened
1
1
tufted

Azolla filiculoides
Pteridopsida
Salviniales
Azollaceae
Azolla
filiculoides

Lam.
Water Fern



0
ovate






in water
tolerant
Throughout South British Isles
1
globose
sporocarp
first leaf of a lateral branch


0
small
0
no pinnae
glaucous green


not threatened
0
0
floating

Pteris cretica
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Pteridaceae
Pteris
cretica


Cretan Brake



0
linear






wet rocks and walls
tolerant
Scilly and Channel Isles
0
continuous

pinna margin
continuous

1
medium
0
1-pinnate


glabrous
Rare
1
0
lvs single, apical pinna long

Pteris vittata
Pteridopsida
Polypodiales
Pteridaceae
Pteris
vittata

L.
Ladder Brake



0
linear






wet rocks and walls
tolerant

0
continuous

pinna margin
continuous

1
medium
0
1-pinnate


glabrous
Rare
1
0
lvs single, apical pinna long