Llanelli Naturalists Newsletter - September 2007 - No 73
Kath Pryce

Having lots of mainly native species of ferns in the garden means we have good opportunities to study them unfurling and we have noticed a couple of quite distinct differences this spring. For instance Polystichum setiferum (Soft-shield Fern) unfurls in a ‘bent over backwards’ manner, from the tip of the rachis in a ‘shepherd’s crook’ shape, and each pinna tip unfurls from the front, forming small rounded ends. In contrast Dryopteris affinis ssp. affinis (Scaly Male-fern) unfurls from the front and looks quite different as it has noticeable rusty brown scales along the whole length. This means that these ferns are recognisable quite early in the season and from a distance. It also means that further observations must be made next spring! I am keen to see if D. affinis subspecies show differences and what do Broad Buckler and Lady Fern do when unfurling?   John Poland who is writing a key to identify the plants in the British Flora by their vegetative characters only had suspected these differences and has asked that we provide him with photographs of the various species to confirm the differences.