Dryopteris dilatata

Taxonomic note: D expansa was formerly included in this species but is now treated as separate.

Photo © Carl Farmer
22 Sep 2002 Portree

Common in woods and shady places and among rocks.

Fronds c 30-150 cm. Pinnae c 6-20 cm. Sori c 0.5-1 mm.

Skye ID: Scales at base of stalk normally have dark centres (see last pic). This rules out all ferns other than D expansa, which has flat pinnules whereas D dilatata normally has them convex (see pic on left). Forms of D dilatata in stressed situations may be very simlar to D expansa however.

Other features: Lowest three or so pinnae the longest, then they get smaller upwards. Pinnule nearest stem on lower side of lowest pinna much longer than that on upper side, but not normally half as long as pinna. Often some fronds on a given plant have the segments crimped backwards and others do not. Indusium fringed with glands.

	Photo © Carl Farmer 22 Sep 2002 Portree



	Photo © Carl Farmer 22 Sep 2002 Portree
	This frond is from the same plant as the next picture up, but with a completely different, convexly crimped, appearance.

Above: Sori, some with indusia still covering them and others where these have fallen off.

Right: Dark-centred scales at base of stem

Skye Flora