Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Dryopteridaceae ⟩ Polystichum setiferum / soft shield-fern

Polystichum setiferum (Forssk.) T. Moore ex Woyn.

soft shield-fern (Dryopteridaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadSlight tendencySW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Polystichum setiferum grows in shady woodlands in Ireland, Wales, England, and south-western parts of Scotland; it differs from Polystichum aculeatum in having its lower pinnae not much shorter than the middle ones.

Leigh Woods (VC6: North Somerset); 2016-02-25

 soft shield-fern / Polystichum setiferum: _Polystichum setiferum_ grows in shady woodlands in Ireland, Wales, England, and south-western parts of Scotland; it differs from _Polystichum aculeatum_ in having its lower pinnae not much shorter than the middle ones.

The pinnules closest to the rachis are shortly stalked with a 90-degree angle at the base of each in Polystichum setiferum; in Polystichum aculeatum, they are often sessile and more narrowly angled.

Leigh Woods (VC6: North Somerset); 2016-02-25

 soft shield-fern / Polystichum setiferum: The pinnules closest to the rachis are shortly stalked with a 90-degree angle at the base of each in _Polystichum setiferum_; in _Polystichum aculeatum_, they are often sessile and more narrowly angled.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne