Jul
17
Spotted in Strandhill – The Broad Buckler Fern
July 17, 2007 | 4 Comments
A recent trip (well, before the last 2 months of rain) to the Glen revealed this fern monster. Each frond is approximately 2 metres long – the blurry photograph does not really do it justice.
It has been suggested to me that this is the Broad Buckler Fern (Dryopteris austriaca) – information like this is difficult to pin down online.
Last weekend I purchased Complete Irish Wildlife in an effort to have a backpack friendly reference for walks. It’s pretty comprehensive guide to all things relating to wildlife, flora and fauna on the island of Ireland. For example, did you know that we have over 70 different types of moths?
Anyway, according to page 276 of this guide this fern is “favouring damp woods, heaths and mountain slopes, usually on acid soils.” Sounds right, though the description of frond length up to 1m does not tally.
If this is not a Broad Buckler Fern, could someone put me straight?
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I think the frond lenght is due to the fern’s age looks prehistoric to me.
It’s kind of “Lost World” down there alright, very undisturbed. difficult to use a phone camera because of the low, often dappled sunlight. macro lens stuff might be ok though.
Hey, I’m an ecologist living up the road from the Glen, great place for a muddy ramble. Tricky to see exactly what species this is, possibly one of three common species Dryopteris dilatata, Athyrium filix femina or Polystichum setiferum, see ‘em all down there, they are really whoppers given the perfect growing conditions.
Just have to correct you on your latin, broad buckler fern is Dryopteris dilatata.
P.S. the best fern field guide reference is The FSC guide by J. Merryweather, Hill, M. 1992.The Fern Guide, Aidgap.Available at http://www.alanaecology.com
Happy hunting, S
Hey, I know that Fern you’re talking about. I brought my Dad there last year, it was his first time in the Glen and he was blown away. He’s a bit of an avid gardner and he reckoned it was over 70 years old.
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