Fern for ID

[jimmymac2]

Its seems to be a very common fern in my area, this photo is of it growing in my compost heap.

Fern in compost heap

[Lancashire Lad]

I'd say this was one of the Dryopteris - (Buckler) ferns.

Looks like new growth, and can't get a good idea of overall size from the one photo.

Additional photos showing the entire plant, along with close ups of the pinnules - both upper and lower surfaces would be handy.
(Always best to take plenty of shots of all aspects when trying to get ID's for plants and trees. As it is for fungi too, of course. ).

I think it's probably Dryopteris dilatata - Broad Buckler (But D. expansa is similar). Plus - I'm no great expert on ferns.

Regards,
Mike.

[jimmymac2]

Thanks Mike for the information. I'll try to get out later, when it's not pouring outside like it is now!

[Chris Yeates]

At last!
I'm not agreeing with Mike . . . . .
This looks more like young lady fern to me. D. dilatata has more sharply toothed final segments.

cheers
Chris

[jimmymac2]

It does look a lot like Dryopteris dilatata and thanks for helping me out. I'll get more photos soon, when I have the time!

[Peachysteve]

I'm with Chris on this one, definitely Lady Fern.
Lady Fern has a very even regular structure, everything is balanced. You can see that the frond if divided in pinnae, the pinnae into pinnules and the pinnules have regular teeth down the sides, these will become more pronounced at the fern matures.
Broad Buckler Fern's most noticeable feature is that the lower pinnules tend to be longer than those above (on the same pinnae) this is most noticeable on the innermost and lowest pinnules.

[Lancashire Lad]

At last!
I'm not agreeing with Mike . . . . .
This looks more like young lady fern to me. D. dilatata has more sharply toothed final segments.

cheers
Chris

I'm with Chris on this one, definitely Lady Fern.
Lady Fern has a very even regular structure, everything is balanced. You can see that the frond if divided in pinnae, the pinnae into pinnules and the pinnules have regular teeth down the sides, these will become more pronounced at the fern matures.
Broad Buckler Fern's most noticeable feature is that the lower pinnules tend to be longer than those above (on the same pinnae) this is most noticeable on the innermost and lowest pinnules.

Thanks both.

I did say that I'm no expert on Ferns!
Actually, I did initially think Lady Fern, (by trying to key out from what I could see in the photo via my "The Fern Guide" book). - But I was nowhere near certain, which is why I suggested more photos.
Then I Googled for images, and from what I found managed to convince myself that it wasn't Lady Fern, and that D.dilatata looked a better fit.
Next time I'll stick to my first instincts.

Regards,
Mike.

[jimmymac2]

On second thoughts, it is more like Lady Fern. Thanks to all!