Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

Home ⟩ Pictorial Guide ⟩ Dryopteridaceae ⟩ Dryopteris expansa / northern buckler-fern

Dryopteris expansa (C. Presl) Fraser-Jenk. & Jermy

northern buckler-fern (Dryopteridaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
WidespreadVery strong tendencyN
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Dryopteris expansa is a fern of rock crevices and scree in the mountains of Scotland, northern England and Wales.

Stob Coire Sgrìodain (VC97: West Inverness); 2020-07-21

 northern buckler-fern / Dryopteris expansa: _Dryopteris expansa_ is a fern of rock crevices and scree in the mountains of Scotland, northern England and Wales.

The leaves of Dryopteris expansa are at least 3-pinnate, with the lowest pinna being the longest, and its basiscopic pinnules being far longer than the acroscopic ones; the scales are brown with an ill-defined darker centre.

Stob Coire Sgrìodain (VC97: West Inverness); 2020-07-21

 northern buckler-fern / Dryopteris expansa: The leaves of _Dryopteris expansa_ are at least 3-pinnate, with the lowest pinna being the longest, and its basiscopic pinnules being far longer than the acroscopic ones; the scales are brown with an ill-defined darker centre.

The spores of Dryopteris expansa appear paler than those of Dryopteris dilatata, which also has down-curling rather than flat leaf margins.

Stob Coire Sgrìodain (VC97: West Inverness); 2020-07-21

 northern buckler-fern / Dryopteris expansa: The spores of _Dryopteris expansa_ appear paler than those of _Dryopteris dilatata_, which also has down-curling rather than flat leaf margins.

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