In the Valley Wood at Filnore the shady conditions favour ferns.
These three species were growing together when I snapped them in early June. They're a bit bigger now.
The easiest to identify is the Harts Tongue Fern
On this one the fronds were still unfurling at the tip.
The largest British fern (not counting Bracken) is Male Fern, which makes large, lusty shuttlecock rosettes.
The pinnules (divisions ) on the frond (leaf) are simple (very 'male' ! ) with no frills or further sub-divisions.
And a slightly later developer is the Soft Shield Fern
The pinnules on this one are a bit more complex. When fully grown they have two distinguishing features (a) a soft seta or bristle on the end of the pinnule and (b) a sort of 'thumb' on each one, making the pinnule resemble a mitten.
You can remember which one this is because a mitten is soft and is a shield against the cold so a 'soft shield'.
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