Polystichum lonchitis Holly-fern R DDD N
This is a mostly mountain fern and Stace reckons you only find it on (under usually) basic rocks above 600m around which is about 2,000 feet. It is quite distinctive looking and very stiff and hard fern to the touch. In New Flora of the British Isles edition 3 this plant is now considered rare.
Apart from a few predictable outposts in Snowdonia and the northern Pennines Polystichum lonchitis is mostly found in the highlands of Scotland although there are old records dotted here and there in the lowlands of England. In Ireland it is found nearer the west coast.
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| Polystichum lonchitis Holly-fern |
LHS: Inchnadamph limestone rocks, Assynt, 19th June 2006 RHS: Ben Lawers corrie, 1st August 2004
Added on 16th September 200, amended January 31st 2005, updated 19th July 2011