Hard Shield-fern - Polystichum aculeatum

A 1-pinnate fern with deeply lobed pinnae, so having a finely divided appearance.  Pinnules that have sharply pointed teeth and spine-pointed tips. In Shield Ferns the pinnae nearest the stalk are 'mitten' shaped and in Hard Shield Fern the 'thumb' angles away from the stalk, creating an acute angle. Lowest pinnae much shorter than middle ones, tapering into the stipe. Leaves stiff. Pinnules mostly unstalked or with short "stalk" which is simply a narrowing of the pinnule. Much more shiny in appearance than most ferns. Fronds exposed to the light are sometimes pale green, but mostly they are darker green especially those in shady crevices.

Soft Shield Fern

Pinnules with fine points, drawn out into 'whiskers'.  The basal lobe of each pinnule closest to the stem is acute-angled 

Either obtain confirmation from a County Recorder before submitting a record, or submit detailed images showing key features.  We recommend that you take and retain a specimen; the County Recorder may wish to see this for confirmation. 

Most commonly found on limestone rocks but also found on non-limestone rocks from time to time.

Spring to autumn - spores ripen in July and August.

Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain, but never really common.

Occasional but probably increasing in Leicestershire and Rutland.

In the Flora of Leicestershire (Primavesi & Evans 1988) it was found in 20 of the 617 tetrads.