Family:
DryopteridaceaeRegion: Europe, British Isles, Alps, Caucasus; parts of western Asia.
Habitat: temperate and mountainous regions; moist, shaded environments, in woodland areas, rocky slopes, grasslands at higher altitudes; prefers acidic to neutral soils, can thrive in cool, damp conditions.
Ecology: ground cover in forested areas; prevent soil erosion; offers habitat and shelter for small insects and other organisms.
Use: ornamental, attractive, finely textured look, in shaded borders, woodland gardens, and rockeries, naturalizing in cool, damp gardens.
BotanyFern; robust; perennial; tufted growth habit; forming dense clumps, providing a striking appearance in the landscape.
Roots: fibrous; extending from the rhizome.
Rhizome: creeping to short, stout, often covered with scales.
Leaves: pinnate to bipinnate; triangular outline; medium to dark green; 50 to 80 cm long; leaflets are serrated; rachis covered in small brown scales; grow upright, may arch slightly at the tips.
Sori: round; located on the underside of the pinnules; protected by characteristic kidney-shaped indusia.