True Ferns: Polypody Family:-

"Ferns and their allies are a very ancient order of flowerless plants, comprising the Ferns, Horsetails, Clubmosses and Quillworts, all perennial except for the rare Jersey Fern (Polypody Family). They have no seed, but reproduce themselves by minute dust-like spores. These are produced in tiny capsules (sporangia), and give rise without any sexual process to tiny short-lived plants called prothalli, which bear male and female organs and carry out the reproductive process in the presence of moisture and not by insect or wind fertilisation, leading to the formation of a new fern plant. This process is called alternation of generations. In the Ferns the prothalli are usually small green heart-shaped scale-like plants, 1/4 - 1/2 inch across, which may often be found in damp shady spots near fern colonies, sometimes with tiny fern plants growing from them.

The Mosses, Liverworts, Stoneworts (Chara and Nitella species), Algae, Seaweeds and other more primitive flowerless plants have only cellular and not fibrous or vascular tissue, and lack true roots and usually stems as well, but are sometimes very hard to distinguish except by a knowledge of their reproductive habits.

The true fern families (Royal Fern Family, Filmy Fern Family and Polypody Family) have ferns which are non-woody perennials, except for the rare Jersey Fern (Polypody Family), with an obvious family resemblance, their leaves (fronds) folded crozier-like in bud and arising from a creeping or an often well-tufted rootstock that may be covered with a brown shaggy mass of decayed leaves. Only Hartstongue (Polypody Family) has completely undivided leaves, the rest being either deeply lobed (Rusty-back in Polypody Family) or 1-3 pinnate. The spores are contained in minute cases, which are grouped into raised brown heaps (sori), covered by an indusium, on the back or edges of the leaves, except in the Royal Fern (Royal Fern Family). Many species are very variable, and young plants, especially sterile ones, are extremely hard, if not impossible, to identify. They all affect damp or shady places, and so are plentiful in Western England.

The great majority of our British ferns belong to this family, all but the Hartstongue having divided leaves, and all having opaque leaves.

" from Collins Pocket Guide to Wild Flowers by David McClintock and R.S.R. Fitter assisted by Francis Rose - ISBN 0 00 219363 9 - Eleventh Impression 1978

True Ferns: Polypody Family plant table with its Common Name - Botanical Name. Flowering Months Range. Habitat with link to that Wild Flower Habitat Gallery:-

Common Name

Botanical Name

Flowering Months

Habitat

Alpine Lady Fern

Athyrium alpestre (distentifolium)

July-August

A deciduous fern of the higher mountains, growing on rock ledges, gullies, block screes and in shallow hollows where snow lies late into summer. It prefers more stable, acidic block screes with a N. or N.E. aspect and some degree of soil accumulation. Found from 455 m in the Breadalbanes (Mid Perth) to 1220 m (Ben Macdui, S. Aberdeen).

British Pteridological Society Spore Exchange 2011

List of spores available 2011 - Cancelling all previous lists.

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage from Applecross Pass

Form from Applecross Pass.

Alpine Woodsia (Gray Northern Woodsia)

Woodsia alpina

July-August

This grows on the steep, free-drained, bare faces of calcareous rocks, including pumice tuffs, basalts, mica- and hornblende schists, slates and limestones. Sites are very free-draining, with little competition. From 525 m to 975 m on Ben Lawers (Mid Perth).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Beech Fern

(Northern Beech Fern)

Thelypteris phegopteris (Dryopteris phegopteris, Lastrea phegopteris, Phegopteris connectilis, Phegopteris polypodioides)

June-August

A creeping, rhizomatous fern, most common in ancient woodlands dominated by Quercus petraea on neutral to acidic soils, where it frequently occurs on deeper soils on gully sides where base-rich water percolates. It can also be found amongst boulders and on wet rock faces in the uplands where it is afforded protection from grazing. 0-1120 m (Breadalbanes, Mid Perth).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Black Spleenwort

Asplenium adiantum-nigrum

June onwards

This evergreen perennial fern occurs on a wide range of well-drained, usually basic substrates, in lightly shaded habitats where there is little competition. It is found on cliffs and screes, in quarries, on lane banks and walls. Generally lowland, but reaching 575 m at Moor House (Westmorland) and possibly higher in the Cairngorms.

Spores from Richborough Castle

Spores from Richborough Castle

Foliage from Richborough Castle in Kent in August

Form from Richborough Castle in August

Bladder Fern (Syn. Brittle Bladder Fern)

Cystopteris fragilis

June-September

A fern of damp, shaded rock crevices, cliffs, cave entrances, ravines and mortared walls, always growing on a mineral-enriched substrate, and most frequent over limestone. It is also found on field boundary banks where water seeps from improved pasture, and in Fraxinus woodland. 0-1220 m (Breadalbanes, Mid Perth).

Spores at Corkscrew Hill in County Clare on 18 June

Spore at Corkscrew Hill on 18 June

Foliage at Corkscrew Hill on 18 June

Form from Millers Dale on 21 May

Bracken

Pteridium aquilinum

July-August

A deciduous fern of moorland, hill pasture and other habitats on acidic soils. It is most vigorous when growing on deep loam, sands or alluvium and is rare on base-rich soils. 0-585 m (Lochnagar, S. Aberdeen), and probably higher elsewhere.

Spores

Spore-cases

Foliage from Oldbury Hill in September

Form

Common Spleenwort (Syn. Maidenhair Spleenwort)

Asplenium trichomanes

May onwards

A perennial, evergreen fern which grows in a range of rocky habitats, including cliffs, rock faces, screes, mine waste and, perhaps now most commonly, on walls. 0-870 m (Macgillycuddy`s Reeks, S. Kerry).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage from Slieve Elva in County Clare on 17 June

Form

Common Buckler Fern (Syn. Broad Buckler Fern)

Dryopteris dilatata

July-September

This deciduous fern grows on moderately to very acidic, well- to poorly-drained substrates. Habitats include deciduous and coniferous woodland, hedgerows, ditches, open moorland, rocky slopes, boulder scree and rock fissures. It can also be epiphytic in damp climates. 0-1050 m (N. of Loch Rannoch, Mid Perth), and reportedly to 1125 m in Scotland.

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Common Polypody

Polypodium vulgare

June-September

An evergreen, perennial, rhizomatous fern of well-drained, predominantly acidic substrates, including dry-stone walls, roadside banks and rock outcrops. It also occurs as an epiphyte on Quercus and other deciduous trees, mainly in W. Britain and Ireland, and is also found in conifer plantations. It is very tolerant of exposure, growing, for example, on montane scree.

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Crested Buckler Fern

Dryopteris cristata

July-August

This deciduous fern grows in mildly acidic `floating` fens that develop within or from more base-rich fens. It is characteristic of Sphagnum lawns, where it can tolerate the shade of invading Phragmites, and Salix and Betula scrub. It can persist in fen carr. Lowland.

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Forked Spleenwort

Asplenium septentrionale

June onwards

An often long-lived, evergreen fern of well-drained, exposed, sunny, usually acidic rock faces, metalliferous mine spoil and the sides of unmortared stone walls. In Ireland, it grows on ultrabasic rocks. 0-535 m (Moel yr Ogof, Caerns.), formerly to 715 m at Llyn y Cwn (Caerns.)

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Golden-Scaled Male Fern (Syn. Scaly Male Fern)

Dryopteris borreri

(Dryopteris affinis)

July-August

A deciduous or evergreen fern found in deciduous woodland, along rides in coniferous plantations, in ditches, on shady banks and road verges, usually on acidic substrates. In more oceanic areas, it grows in the open on well-drained West- or South-West-facing hillsides, scree slopes and mountain ledges. It is also found on brickwork in urban areas.

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form from Ardcharnich in Ross and Cromarty on 18 June

Green Spleenwort

Asplenium viride

June-September

This is an evergreen fern of moist, sheltered crevices in basic rocks, and very rarely also on mortared walls. It is occasionally a colonist of old metal mine workings. From sea level on the coasts of W. Britain and Ireland to 975 m on Ben Lawers (Mid Perth).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage on 14 May

Form on 14 May

Hard Fern

Blechnum spicant

June-August

This evergreen calcifuge fern grows on damp peaty or loamy soils in deciduous and coniferous woodland. In suitably wet climates it extends onto open moorland, streamsides and hedgerows. 0-1065 m (Aonach Beag, Westerness), and reportedly to 1185 m elsewhere in Scotland.

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage from Loch Cuilin on 22 June

Form from Loch Cuilin on 22 June

Hard Shield Fern

Polystichum aculeatum

July-August

This evergreen species is characteristic of mountain gorges and steep wooded river valleys where it grows in thin but damp, mildly acidic to base-rich soils between rocks and in crevices. It also grows in the grikes of limestone pavement, on shady mortared walls, on hedge-banks, and around cave entrances and mine shafts. It is rarely plentiful in S. England, usually occurring as scattered individuals and only becoming common in the north of its range.

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Hartstongue

Phyllitis scolopendrium

July-August

An evergreen perennial fern of sheltered, humid, moist habitats, including rocky woodlands, stream and hedge banks, grikes in limestone pavement, and on brickwork and walls, where it often grows in a stunted form. It avoids the most acidic substrates. 0-700 m (Great Dun Fell, Westmorland).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage from Corkscrew hill in County Clare on 18 June

Form near Cadgwith in Kent

Hay-Scented Buckler Fern

Dryopteris aemula

July-September

A fern of moist but well-drained acidic to neutral soils of low base content, growing on banks, sea-cliffs and wooded slopes. In the Weald (Sussex) it occurs in deep, steep-sided wooded ravines which emulate its Atlantic habitats. Generally lowland, but reaching 640 m in Macgillycuddy`s Reeks (South Kerry).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage from North Yorkshire

Form from North Yorkshire

Holly Fern

Polystichum lonchitis

(Polypodium lonchitis, Aetopteron lonchitis, Aspidium lonchitis, Dryopteris lonchitis, Hypopeltis lonchitis, Polystichum asperum)

June-August

This evergreen species is a calcicole, growing in well-drained, cool and moist positions at the base of cliffs, on rocky ledges, and particularly in stabilised boulder-scree. It also grows in deep grikes of limestone pavements. Polystichum lonchitis is a poor competitor, but is long-lived once established. From 180 m at Inchnadamph, W. Sutherland, but generally above 600 m and reaching 1150 m in the Breadalbanes (Mid Perth).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form from Allt Nan Uamp in Sutherland on 17 June

Jersey Fern

Anogramma leptophylla

(Anogramma caespitosa)

March-May

A small fern found on moist but well-drained shady lane banks, especially where granite is used to support the bank. Some say it is confined to banks in the Channel Islands. It prefers bare soil where some surface erosion reduces competition. It is the only British fern with an annual sporophyte; its spores mature early (usually April) and plants die soon afterwards. Its prothallus, however, is perennial and may over-winter in warm crevices to produce new sporophytes the following year. Lowland.

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Lady Fern

Athyrium filix-femina

July-August

A deciduous fern that prefers moist but well-drained acidic soils, but can tolerate more basic substrates if these are overlain by mildly acidic layers. It is particularly frequent in deciduous woodland, especially on stream banks, and in moist, rocky habitats, but is also found in hedgerows and drainage ditches. It is one of few species able to colonise metalliferous lead and tin mine deposits. 0-1005 m (Carnedd Llewelyn, Caerns.).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Lanceolate Spleenwort

Asplenium obovatum

June-September

This perennial, evergreen, calcifuge fern is mainly a plant of sheltered, shady crevices and ledges on maritime cliffs and on rock outcrops. It also occurs on well-drained, acidic, loamy lane banks and dry-stone walls. Most of its sites are near the sea, and the plant is not vigorous in its colder inland sites. Lowland.

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Lemon-Scented Fern

Thelypteris oreopteris

(Oreopteris limbosperma)

July-August

A fern of acidic, peaty or humus-rich soils in open woodland, along drainage ditches and streamsides, and on damp heaths, upland grassland and damp rock ledges. It is especially associated with the edges of watercourses, including man-made ditches, and is therefore more frequent on poorly-drained substrates. 0-1010 m (Ben Ime, Main Argyll).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Limestone Polypody

Thelypteris robertiana

(Gymnocarpium robertianum )

July-August

A deciduous fern of cracks, fissures and scree in limestone rock, but also found in shallow grikes of limestone pavement, and, rarely, on chalk. It prefers warm, sunny exposures but can tolerate light shading. It has become established as a garden escape on walls and culverts. Lowland to 585 m at Carreg yr Ogof (Carms.).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum capillus-veneris

May-September

A semi-evergreen fern found in areas with an oceanic climate on wet, calcareous cliffs where its rhizomes are protected in crevices; in the Aran Islands (W. Donegal) and the Burren (Co. Clare) it grows in grikes in limestone pavement. Many inland records in sheltered warm sites, such as damp mortared walls, railway sidings and canal locks, arise from spores derived from cultivated plants. Lowland.

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage from the Burren in County Clare

Form from The Burren

Male Fern

Dryopteris filix-mas

July-August

This is a common deciduous fern of woodlands, hedgerows, ditches, roadside verges, stream banks, rocky hillsides, cliff ledges and scree slopes. It prefers light, well-drained but moist soils that are mostly acidic to neutral, though sometimes slightly basic. It is also found in urban habitats, including railway embankments, bridges, walls and gardens. 0-960 m (Macgillycuddy`s Reeks, S. Kerry).

Spore-case (Sorus) with Spores on 25 July

Sori with Spores from Borough Green in Kent on 25 July

Foliage from Nairn on 4 July

Form from Rievauex Abbey

Marsh Fern

Thelypteris palustris

July-August

A perennial fern of open or recently wooded fen or open carr, where the soil is permanently wet and organic, but not too acidic. It is a characteristic component of Phragmites-Cladium fen, but also persists as vigorous colonies in fen Alnus woods or Salix carr. Generally lowland, but formerly at 335 m (Braemar, S. Aberdeen).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage from Goonhilly in Cornwall on 24 May

Form from Goonhilly on 24 May

Mountain Bladder Fern

Cystopteris montana (Polypodium montanum)

July-August

A deciduous fern of sheltered, humid, North- or East-facing limestone and mica-schist cliffs where there is periodic irrigation. It prefers dripping rock ledges, cliff bases, gullies and steep, unstable scree slopes. From 490 m on Ben Lui (Main Argyll) to 1125 m on Aonach Beag (Westerness).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage from Liechenstein

Form from Allt Nan Uamp in Sutherland on 17 June

Narrow Buckler Fern

Dryopteris spinulosa (carthusiana)

July-September

This deciduous fern is found in a range of damp habitats, including wet heaths, fens, mires, raised bogs, carr and wet woodland. It prefers rich alluvial soils with a high water table. More rarely it extends onto open moorland, possibly as a relic of former woodland. Generally lowland, but reaching 730 m in Atholl (E. Perth).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Northern Buckler Fern

Dryopteris expansa

August-September

A deciduous fern found growing in open wet woodland and around rock outcrops at low altitudes, and in damp, sheltered hollows of upland boulder scree. Its substrates are usually mildly acidic, but it can grow in scree derived from quite base-rich mica-schists. 0-945 m (Stob Binnein, W. Perth).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Oak Fern

Thelypteris dryopteris (Gymnocarpium dryopteris)

July-August

A gregarious, deciduous fern growing in rocky deciduous woodland and ravines, along stream banks, and on cliff ledges and stable block screes. It prefers moist but open, light-textured mineral soils with a high humus content, and tolerates a moderate range of pH. 0-915 m (Rannoch, Mid Perth).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage on 18 May

Form on 18 May

Oblong Woodsia (Rusty Cliff Fern)

Woodsia ilvensis

July-August

An evergreen fern, growing in cracks and fissures in cliffs and crags on rocks ranging from calcareous tuffs and hornblende schists to more acidic tuffs, grits and shales. Sites are very free-draining, with little competition. Reproduction is probably mostly vegetative. From 365 m to 760 m (Cumberland).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Parsley Fern

(Crisp Rockbrake)

Cryptogramma crispa

June-August

This small, deciduous, long-lived fern is a strong calcifuge and is found in well-drained sites on relatively stable, steep scree slopes, where it is a pioneer species. It also occurs on cliff ledges and mortar-free dry-stone walls. From 80 m (Glen Etive, Main Argyll) to 1280 m (Ben Nevis, Westerness).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage from Applecross Pass on 25 June

Form from Applecross Pass on 25 June

Rigid Buckler Fern

Dryopteris villarii

(Dryopteris submontana)

July-August

A deciduous fern of limestone pavement, screes and rock crevices, where moist, humus-rich soils develop. It prefers some degree of shelter, often growing in grikes, but is intolerant of shade. It can extend onto more exposed rock, but only where low woody scrub affords some protection. It is also recorded from limestone walls, and from other base-rich rocks. 0-465 m (Highfolds Scar, Mid-W. Yorks.).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Colonists of limestone dry stone walls In Winsley, West Wiltshire

Rusty-Back

Ceterach officinarum

April onwards

A perennial, calcicole fern found on crags and cliffs of basic rocks, especially limestone, and also on limestone pavements and mortared walls. Generally lowland, reaching c. 550 m in Wales.

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage from Ivy Thorn in Somerset on 23 December

Form from Ivy Thorn in Somerset on 23 December

Asplenium marinum poem:-

Mirrored in water

in the depth of the well

sea spleenworts

with sori oblique

fracture reflections

with fronded shadows.

Roots inextricable

from cracks

in stone.

Sea Spleenwort

Asplenium marinum

June-September

An evergreen perennial fern, predominantly found in cool, moist crevices and fissures in maritime cliffs, and often within range of sea-spray. It occasionally grows on walls in coastal areas, but, because of its requirement for a frost-free environment, it is only exceptionally found on rocks inland. Lowland.

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage from Melvaig Ross on 21 June

Form from Melvaig Ross on 21 June

Small Male Fern

(Mountain Male-fern)

Dryopteris abbreviata

(Dryopteris oreades Fomin)

July-August

This deciduous fern grows in colonies on well-drained rocky ledges, steep, loose scree slopes and in gullies. Substrates include relatively acidic sandstones, slates and mica-schist. It is very sensitive to grazing, often becoming confined to inaccessible ledges and unstable scree slopes in heavily grazed areas. From 105 m (Llyn Padarn, Caerns.) to 850 m (An Sgurr, Mid Perth and Coire na Creiche, N. Ebudes).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Soft Shield Fern

Polystichum setiferum

July-August

This semi-evergreen fern is a moderate calcicole, occurring in shaded deciduous woodland, hedgerows, lane banks and sheltered streamsides, and also in the peaty bottoms of grikes in limestone pavement. It grows on a wide range of soil types, from those derived from sands to clays, but prefers sloping or well-drained ground. Generally lowland, but reaching 305 m on Walla Crag (Cumberland).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form on 5 July

Wall Rue

Asplenium ruta-muraria

June onwards

This perennial, evergreen fern occurs naturally on limestone and other basic rocks, where it grows on steep, bare faces and in crevices; it is also found in hollowed clints in limestone pavement. However, in most lowland areas it is now abundant on mortared walls and other man-made structures. 0-625 m (Ingleborough, Mid-W. Yorks.).

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage from North Yorkshire

Form from North Yorkshire

Western Polypody

(Intermediate Polypody)

Polypodium interjectum

September-February

An evergreen, perennial, rhizomatous fern that prefers more basic substrates than Polypodium vulgare but can be found in acidic conditions where exposed to salt-laden air. It is found in a wide range of habitats such as mortared stone walls, hedge banks, rock exposures, mature sand dunes and as an epiphyte, especially near the sea.

Spore-case

Spore-cases

Foliage

Form

Tommy Cooper statement:-

Police arrested two kids yesterday, one was  drinking battery acid, and the other was eating  fireworks.

They charged one and let the other one  off.