Damp shady woods is where you find it says Professor Stace, but I only know it from mountain places where it grows under rocks or in grikes.  It is a very light green in colour and stands up stiffly.  It really is one of the beautiful ferns to see en masse and this picture looking down on a clump of them doesn't really capture the elegance of this plant.

G. dryopteris is common in Scotland, the far north of England and Wales but rare in central and southern England and Ireland.

Cwm Idwal, North Wales 25th July 2002

Added on November 10th 2004, updated 2nd February 2009, updated 2nd April 2010