Scaly Male Fern |
Dryopteris affinis agg. |
This has now been divided into 3 species; there will be a page for each in due course.
![]() Photo ©
Carl Farmer |
Common in woods and shady places, also frequent in the open on hillsides and in mountains, especially among rocks. Fronds typically 30-120 cm. Pinnules 2-5 mm wide. Sori 0.5-2 mm wide. ID: Brown scales are profuse even midway up rachis, as in pics below. Pinnae have a dark spot at base. Other features: Very noticeable at a distance in early summer when the yellowish-green fronds appear on the hillsides; these become darker later in the year. Sori have a pale kidney-shaped covering (indusium). Pinnule teeth most numerous towards end of pinnule. A very variable plant, some specimens are close to Male Fern in appearance.
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![]() Photo ©
Carl Farmer |
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![]() Photo ©
Carl Farmer |
![]() Photo ©
Carl Farmer |
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![]() Photo ©
Carl Farmer |
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Showing dark
spot at base of pinna (on pinna midrib where it joins main stem)
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![]() Photo ©
Carl Farmer |
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Showing dark spot again and the crowded shaggy scales, which on most fern species are only crowded like this at the lower end of the stalk, before the pinnae begin. |