D. dilatata is a very common fern on the acid soils of Cheshire. I find it often in the shelter of hedges but mostly in woods where it prefers the shade more than D. filix-mas (Male fern). It is 3 or sometimes 4 pinnate which means the fronds (leaves) are in pairs on either side of the main leaf rib (rachis)and then divided twice more.

This plant is found throughout the British Isles and Ireland.

LHS: Shady bank, Cheshire 22nd November 2004 RHS: Helsby Quarry 19th April 2005

Added on November 22nd 2004, updated 16th December 2008, updated 28th March 2010