WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Widespread but scattered in England, coastal Wales and parts of Scotland and Ireland. Mainly exists in the S. West. Nationally scarce and native populations are rare. Habitat includes: Wet, coastal sites on calcareous rocks such as calcareous cliffs (where its rhizomes are protected in crevices), grykes in limestone pavement. Many inland records in sheltered frost-free sites, damp mortared walls, railway sidings, canal locks (arise from spores derived from cultivated plants). often found self-sown on brick bases of greenhouses. Height: Up to 30 cm (sometimes up to 45 cm). Other names include: Southern Maidenhair Fern, Black Maidenhair Fern, Venus Hair Fern.