Dryopteris cambrensis Narrow Scaly Male-fern

Narrow Scaly Male-fern is one of the most distinctive members of the Scaly Male-fern complex (Dryopteris affinis agg.) The long narrow, almost parallel-sided form of the fronds, tapering towards the base, is usually immediately apparent. Coupled with that, pinnae tend to be concave, giving the frond a more three-dimensional form that the other Scale Male-ferns, and the toothed pinnules are often conspicuously crimped and blunt. The basal pinnules, near the stalk (rachis) are longer than the others and this is often a prominent feature. Also, these pinnules have  a thumb-like structure which overlaps with the stalk. It has the typical dark blotch where the pinnae meet the stalk, which is conspicuously scaly. Narrow Scaly Male-fern is a frequent and widespread fern in the uplands of Neath Port Talbot, especially on roadside banks in conifer plantations and moorland.

Native