Cryptogramma crispa Parsley Fern

A small fern which is locally distributed in Scotland and western Britain and confined to rocky and scree areas in the uplands and mountains. Two types of fronds are produced, vegetative fronds which are sterile and do not produce spores and the more finely cut fertile, reproductive fronds, which bear spore-producing structures (sporangia). The leaves bear a superficial resemblance to sprigs of parsley, hence the common name. Parsley Fern is extremely rare in West Glamorgan and has only been recorded here in a few sites, such as the north-facing scarp of Craig y Llyn, but it has not been seen in recent surveys.

Native