Polystichum setiferum

ESSEX BOTANY AND MYCOLOGY GROUPS

Polystichum setiferum:

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Polystichum setiferum (Forssk.) Woyn. Soft Shield Fern

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Light 4. Wetness 5. pH 6.5-8. Fertility 6. Height <1.5m Native.

Native. A large fern with soft textured, fully bipinnate, arching fronds, grass-green when mature, and semi-wintergreen, persisting, though often well tattered until the new fronds flush in the spring. Less winter hardy than P. aculeatum. A lowland fern occurring most abundantly in river-valley deciduous woodland, along the banks of sheltered streams, and along lanes and shady hedgerows in the south and west of England, Wales and Ireland (Page 1997). It needs a fair amount of light and shelter, and cannot withstand drought. Arising from a dense shuttlecock, the fronds are more numerous and the pinnae more closely spaced than in P. aculeatum, the lowest on the frond hardly being any shorter than those half way up, again in contrast to P. aculeatum where the pinnae gradually decrease in length from the middle of the frond downwards. The pinnules are shortly stalked the basal on each of the pinnae having a distinctive forward pointing basal lobe, and an obtusely angled base exceeding that of a right angle. In Essex it is most abundant along deep sunken streams in woodland, but it occurs sporadically in roadside ditches where plants are often stunted and ephemeral, and along shady disused railway line banks. In contrast to the situation in Norfolk and Suffolk, it is more widely distributed and abundant in Essex than P. aculeatum. It is quite commonly grown in gardens, and large plants often 'disappear' from the wild, but it is capable of effective dispersal and young plants turn up in new situations. The largest known population is along the deeply incised Bourne Brook at Curtismill Green. Recorded from c. 107 monads.

TQ(51)38	349,892	18	Walthamstow Reservoirs, 3 small plants on brick railway supports. 21 January 2008. Tim Pyner, K J Adams & Brian Wurzell.
TQ(51)39	393,929	18	Epping Forest, Highams Park. [NE of lake]. 1997. Amanda Samuels.
	396,915	18	White House Woods. 1973. Unknown recorder. City list.
	396,915	18	White House grounds, 2 large plants either side of path in the arboretum, apparently planted. 17 June 2013. K J Adams.
	397,980	18	Epping Forest, Bury Wood. 1993-1994, Amanda Samuels.
TL(52)30	379,068	19	Nazeing, several plants wall of R. Lee Navigation, nr. Carthagena Lock. 29 April 1991. Tim Pyner.
TQ(51)48	415,857	18	Manor Park Cemetery. 24 Jul 1986. PEM-not listed
TQ(52)49	400,930	18	Epping Forest, Woodford Golf Course. 1993-1994. Amanda Samuels.
	409,929	18	Knighton Wood, in ditch along the edge. 1994. Amanda Samuels.
	????	18	High Beach, Turpin’s Cave, 1976. Owen Mountford.
	407,983	18	High Beach, several plants on bank, Rat’s Lane. 2007. K J Adams.
	4079,9828	18	Epping Forest, Rat's Lane Bog stream, lowest end, colony of 10 plants some very large, K, J Adams & Tim Pyner.
	4114,9960	18	Epping Forest, Honey Lane, 1 large plant by stream near Boundary with Jewish Cemetery. 17 October 2009 K J Adams et Essex Bryology Group.
	429,976	18	Baldwins Hill, end of Whitikers Way in garden and hedge. 1977-2009. K J Adams.
	434,985	18	Epping Forest, Oak Hill-Birch Wood. 4 May. 1995. Amanda Samuels.
	474,937	18	Hainault Forest, with other ferns. 11 July 1987. Mark Hanson.
		18	Hainault Forest, Cabin Hill ? 16 October 2002. Brian Ecott.
	470,932	18	Hainault Forest, Roes Well. 20 August 2002. Brian Ecott.
	4765,9211	18	Hainault Forest, Hog Hill on east side of road. 16 March 2017. Enid Barrie.
	49,98 - 50,98	18	Stapleford Tawney, Shales More, scattered plants on stream bank. 8 April 1995. Tim Pyner.
TL(52)40	40,01	19	Brook Meadow Wood, 1 plant bank of Cobbins Brook. April 1978. K J Adams.
	461,035	19	Wintry Wood, [small wood west of Wintry Park Farm] 3-4 large and several smaller plants by southern stream. 11 June 2013. Andy McGeeney.
	45618,02612	19	Epping C.P. Swaines Green Reserve., incised stream Middle Lincoln's Field just north of foot-bridge. One large one medium. 11 July 2021. Kenneth J. Adams.
	45618,02706 -45599,02744	19	Epping C.P. Swaines Green Reserve, incised stream between Lovelock's Meadow and Lower Lincoln's Field. About a dozen large plants and 100+ small plants. 11 July 2021. K.J.Adams.
	470,024	18	Epping, second wood north east of Stonards Lane, c. 12 plants along stream. 2005-2010. K. J. Adams.
	4727,0366	19	Epping Lower Forest, large old crown with eaten off fronds.26 October 1980. K J Adams.
	4719,0420	19	Epping Lower Forest, 1 small plant by Stump Road brook. 2010.
	4713,0414	19	Epping Lower Forest, northern end, 1 small young plant,1980s. K J Adams.
TQ(51)58	5197,8612	18	Rush Green, one plant only on N bank of Ravensbourne, W side of Upper Rainham Rd. 13 April 2006. Bob Creber.
	5714,8229	18	Belhus Woods Country Park East, 1 plant just south of brook in woodland. 31 October 2007. Mary Smith.
TQ(51)59	50,92	18	Havering Park, 1 large plant. 1980. K J Adams.
	51,96	18	Curtismill Green, 20-30 plants by deeply incised Bourne Brook in woodland. 27 April 2002. K J Adams.
	51,96	18	East end of Rayburn Road, woodland. 28 April 2006. Bob Creber.
	5164,9901	18	Stapleford Tawney C.P., Langford Bottom woodland, stream bank. One medium and numerous young plants. 24 April 2018. K.J.Adams.
	5515,9756	18	Navestock Side, Gipsy Bottom wood, single plant on bank. 22 May 2012. Adrian Knowles.
	58,91	18	Warley Place. Ronald Payne. [Flora of Essex 1974]
	58,91	18	Warley Place, probably over 100 large plants plus numerous young plants in the old cellar and brick ruins and all over site. 29 0ctober 2013. K.J.Adams.
	588,920	18	Brentwood, Clement's Wood, c.20 plants several medium in size, bank of deeply incised stream. 13 November2013. K.J.Adams.
	5954,9910	18	Doddinghurst, one plant bank R. Wid. 30 May 2012. Adrian Knowles.
TL(52)50	535,035	18	Greensted C.P., in ditch by by Newbarns Cottage. 22 August 2016. Martin McCleary.
	52,03	18	Blake Hall Station platform. Ronald Payne. [Flora of Essex 1974]
	5715,0066	18	Stondon Massey, Courtfield Wood, 2 plants along stream bank. 21 March 2015. David Dives.
TL(52)51	50816,13834	19	Sheering, high up on brick garden wall, off church Lane. 29 November 2016. Enid Barrie & Liz Harbott. (Confirmed K.J.Adams).
	5410,1978	19	Hatfield Forest, 2 plants in ditch, one marshy ground nearby, just SE of dam. 16 May 1982. K J Adams et EFC.
	54005,19598	19	Hatfield Forest, stream draining the decoy pond, 16 plants. 8 December 2012. Tim Pyner et BBS.
	5416,1996	19	Hatfield Forest, 1 plant damp hollow edge of Gravel Pit Coppice under Sambucus. 21 September 2013. Pteridological Society.
	5433,1998	19	Hatfield Forest, Gravel Pit Coppice, 1 in damp hollow with c.10 D. affinis. 21 Deptember 2013. Pteridological Society.
TL(51)52	52,24	19	Stansted, churchyard, 1997. Shirley Watson.
	54127,20018	19	Hatfield Forest, edge of Gravel Pit Coppice, 1 plant in damp hollow with Athyrium. 8 December 2012. Tim Pyner et BBS.
	57809,27301	19	Ugley, Linnets Wood, one plant, older part of wood under Woodland Trust management. November 2016. Enid Barrie. (Confoirmed K.J.Adams
TL(52)54	5725,4133	19	Shadwell Wood, 1 small plant by pool, 10 May 1981. David J Adams.
TQ(51)68	68,85	18	Thurrock D.C., Old Hill/Great Sutton Wood, boundary ditch bank. LoW site review
	68,87	18	Basildon D.C., Marks Hill Wood N.R., frequent 27 March 1994. Tim Pyner.
	68,87	18	Basildon D.C., Langdon Hills, Marks Hill Wood N.R.,frequent 1984-2011. Rodney L Cole.
	678,870	18	Basildon D.C., Langdon Hills, Butler's Grove, 1 plant 1974 increasing to several more by 1991. Rodney L Cole.
	693,865	18	Basildon D.C., Langdon Hills, shaded stream side near Dry Street. 1993. Rodney L Cole.
	681,856	18	Basildon D.C., Langdon Hills, to the north of Old Hill.1989 and 2011. Rodney L Cole.
	689,859	18	Basildon D.C., thicket near Northlands Wood.1991. Rodney L Cole.
	687,881	18	Basildon, D.C., near Hoppit Shaw. 1991.date? Rodney L Cole.
	699,862	18	Basildon, One Tree Hill, stream bank in small wood. 25 May 1985. Tim, Pyner.
	698,863	18	Basildon, Martinhole Wood, 7 plants, deeply incised stream bank, 14 June 2015. K J Adams and Richard Chapman.
	699,862	18	Basildon, Martinhole Wood, 12 plants deeply incised stream bank between two foot bridges.4 June 2015. K J Adams and Richard Chapman.
TQ(51)69	6233,9017	18	Thorndon Park South, 1 plant on bank.14 February. 1981. K J Adams & J M Adams.
	6267,9005	18	Thorndon Park South, 1 plant by stream. 14 February. 1981. K J Adams & J M Adams.
	6240,9014	18	Thorndon Park South, about 20 plants deeply incised section of western lake inlet stream upper NW corner of woodland. 17 July 2019. Luke Bristow.
	c.627,902	18	Thorndon Park South, group of 14 large on bank, c.6-8 small along incised section of eastern lake inlet stream 17 July 2019. Ken Adams.
	632,907	18	Brentwood C.P., Herongate, Button Common east side, scrubbed over deep-set stream, one medium sized plant. 12 Septemnber 2018.K.J.Adams.
	658,901	18	Dunton Wayletts, 2 plants streamside in small wood by A127. 1983. Tim Pyner.
	6884,9547	18	Norsey Wood. One plant in overgrown brash just south of Norsey Drive. 20 April 1998. J. Poynter..
	69922,97315	19	Stock C.P., garden bank Goat Hall, beside Green Lane bridleway. 2003. Chris Romer.
TL(52)60	647,007	18	Ingatestone, The Grove - single plant. 5 August 1989. Graham Smith.
	663,041	18	High Wood, Edney Common, two plants. 1999. Graham Smith.
	675,043	18	Writtle, South Wood, at least 5 plants. 2000. Graham Smith; 1 plant 19 January 2002. Tim Pyner.
	68514,00929	18	Margaretting Tye, 2 separate plants in bridleway, 200m south east of White Hart pub.c.2002. Chris Romer.
TL(52)62	62,21	19	Great Dunmow, Ash Grove, a few plants along stream bank. 8 March 2008. Tim Pyner.
	622,215	19	Great Dunmow, Oak Spring, large colony along stream. 19 June 2007. Tim Pyner.
	67,20	19	Fested churchyard. Pteridological Soc.
TL(52)63	66,31	19	Little Bardfield, old rectory coppice.Stanley T Jermyn.
TL(52)64	613,403	19	Radwinter C.P., Great Bendysh Wood, one medium sized plant under Beech woodland. 29 October 2015. K.J.Adams.
TQ(51)78	70,86?	18	Martinhole Wood, eastern stream. LoW review.
	78,88	18	Thundersley, Coombe Wood. frequent on stream banks. 3 May 1998. Tim Pyner.
TQ(51)79	747,995	18	Hanningfield, single plant, shady hedgebank, in field east of Hanningfield Water Treatment works. 26 April 2006. Adrian Knowles.
	736,965	18	South Hanningfield, Foxearth Wood, small quantity ditch side. 1983. Tim Pyner.
	7372,9675satel.	18	South Hanningfield, Foxearth Wood, 5 medium to small plants in stream, end of garden. 15November 2013. K.J. Adams.
	7378,9678satel.	18	South Hanningfield, Foxearth Wood, 1 medium plant by stream. 15 November 2013. K.J.Adams.
	72181,99819	18	West Hanningfield C.P., by stream opposite Slogh House Farm (possible hybrid). 2003. Chris Romer.
TL(52)70	70,02	18	Galleywood Common, 2 plants in secondary woodland. 9 October 2004. Tim Pyner.
	771,049	18	Danbury Country Park, 1 plant on stream bank. 12 January 2008. Tim Pyner. Still there, medium sized plant just below bridge on west bank 7709,0496. 1 August 2013. K J Adams.
	77,05+	18	Danbury Palace, in small wood. Stanley T Jermyn.
	7678,0480	18	Danbury Country Park, one large and two small shuttlecocks on waterfall rockery in NE corner of second lake downstream. 16 February 2012. K J Adams. One very small additional plant top of waterfall. 16 May 2013. K.J.Adams.
	784,044	18	Danbury Common, 2 plants, stream bank. 6 October 1985. Tim Pyner.
	778,067	18	Little Baddow, Blake’s Wood, 1972. K J Adams; a few plants in several places, Tim Pyner 24 May 2008.
	77,06	18	Little Baddow, Blake’s Wood, a few plants in several places, Tim Pyner 24 May 2008.
	773,065	18	Little Baddow, Blakes Wood, one medium plant by wood bank. 10 April 2014. Tim Pyner et Wild Flower Group.
	7827,0574	18	Danbury C.P., Bellhill Wood, medium sized plant in ditch south side of track. 16 April 2015. K.J.Adams.
	789,061	18	Little Baddow C.P. c. 50 plants banks of main Twitty Fee valley. 10 April 2014. Tim Pyner et Wild Flower Group.
	790,060	18	Little Baddow C.P. ,one plant in spring head bog, 10 April 2014. Tim Pyner et Wild Flower Group.
	79008,06161	18	Little Baddow Heath, patch on streamsidenr. side valley from Poor's Piece. 2003. Chris Romer.
	79090,07093	18	Little Baddow C.P., single clump 50m east of Birch Wood, 30m north of Woodham Walter boundary. 2003. Chris Romer.
	793,071	18	Woodham Walter C.P., 1 medium plant along main stream, 2 small on northern tributary ditch, 23 April 2015. Richard Chapman & K.J.Adams.
	792,070	18	Woodham Walter C.P., 2 small plants on main stream. 23 April 2015. K. J. Adams.
	793,010		Woodham Walter Common, one medium plant on main stream. 23 April 2015. K.J.Adams
	79160,07113	18	Little Baddow C.P., 10+ clumps in woodland just east of Birch Wood, 20m north of Woodham Walter boundary.2003. Chris Romer.
TL(52)71	743,182	19	Rank’s Green, 2 plants (one large) roadside. 15 March 1959. K J Adams.
TL(52)72	7352,2205	19	Braintree Green, 1 plant in roadside ditch under tree root. February 1955-59. Now gone. K J Adams.
TL(52)73	79389,31405	19	Broak’s Wood. 2 plants on bank of deeply incised stream. 2010. K J Adams et EFC.
	793,312	19	Broak’s Wood. 2 plants on bank just east of path. 27 June 2009. Tim Pyner.
TQ(51)88	824,876	18	Belfairs N.R., 1 plant on bank of Prittle Brook. 6 February 2001. 1 large plant nearby. 21 Februaryt 2001. Tim Pyner.
	822,878	18	Belfairs N.R., 2 plants on bank of Prittle Brook.. 21 June 2007. Tim Pyner.
	841,889	18	Hawkwell, The Scrubs, on river bank. 26 December 1984. Tim Pyner.
TQ(51)89	8324,9039	18	New England Wood, 3 plants south bank of R. Roach. 30 May 1976. K J Adams & Ronald Payne.
	8308,9038	18	South bank of R. Roach, 3 plants, just west of New England Wood. 30 May 1976. K J Adams & Ronald Payne.
	8293,9038-8303,9037	18	South bank of R. Roach, 38 plants, west of New England Wood. 30 May 1976. K J Adams & Ronald Payne.
	83,93	18	Hockley, Marylands Wood, 1 plant on stream bank. 8 March 1986.
	834,919	18	Hockley, Great Bull Wood, 1 plant on stream bank. 20 July 1996. Tim Pyner.
	840,914	18	Hawkwell C.P. One small plant by stream. 1st may 2019. K J Adams
TL(52)80	80,05	18	Thrift Wood. 31 May 1977. Richard Carter.
	811,073	18	Woodham Walter C.P., Whitehouse Pit, several plants on loamy stream bank. 14 December 1997. Tim Pyner.
	81138,07254 -- 811620,7444	18	Woodham Walter C.P., hundreds of huge plants on deeply incised stream bank and marshy area. 12 October 2016. Ken Adams & Essex Botanical Soc.
	80440,03093	18	Danbury C.P., 100m south west of Slough House, several plants on both side of footpath, 2002. Chris Romer.
TL(52)81	83,12	19	1983 Alan Wake; 1986. Terri Tarpey.
	84,12	19	Wickham Bishops, nr. Fairplay House, garden variety. planted. [Flora of Essex 1974]
	853,133	19	Little Braxted, Shut Heath Wood, 1 plant damp woodland. 1996. Tim Pyner; 2000. Terri Tarpey.
TL(52)82	836,291	19	Greenstead Green, lane hedgebank north of. Pteridological Soc.
	8671,2508	19	stream bank on south edge of wood, 1 plant, 4 April 2008. Colin Austin.
	87,24	19	1986. CNHS.
	876,274	19	Chalkney Wood, 3 separate plants along east margin of wood northwards from this point. 1990 & 1994. Jeremy Ison.
	8837,2791	19	Fern Hill track, west of Hickmore Fen, 2 plants nr. Path, 4 April 2008. Colin Austin.
TL(52)83	80,34	19	1988. Jeremy Ison.
	87,34	19	1986. Terri Tarpey.
	8734,3434	19	Alphamstone C.P. , back lane. 7 July 2020. Colin Austin .
TL(52)84	82,42	19	Belchamo Otten, in wood and old gravel pit. Stanley T Jermyh,
TL(52)91	95,10	19	1988. Jeremy Heath, Terri Tarpey.
TL(52)92	922,287	19	1997. Dave Baker.
	959,218	19	Stanway C.P., Oliver's Thicks, one medium plant by stream. 23 November 2017. K.J. Adams
	9685,2677	19	Spring Grove, West Bergholt, 2 plants by brook. 10 April 2008. Colin Austin.
	9761,2801	19	Black Brook woodland, Boxted, 1 plant, 7 March 2008. Colin Austin.
	968,205	19	Layer de la Haye, Heather Fields, single medium plant by stream. October 2010. K J Adams et Essex Bryology Group.
	963,295	19	Great Horkesley, Pitchbury Wood, 1 plant along west boundary, 8 Jun 1997. Anne Guiver, Terri Tarpey.
	963,294	19	Great Horkesley, Pitchbury Wood, 1 plant on ditch bank. 8 June 1997. Tim Pyner.
	991,204	19	Berechurch, Friday Woods. 5 plants in old ruts. 17 February 2007. Tim Pyner.
	99,25	19	1988. Chris Gibson.
TL(52)93	94,31	19	16 June 1987. CNHS.
TM(62)01	0505,1919	19	Fingringhoe Wick N.R. 1 plant by track, 1 August 1981.
	05,19	19	1979, CNHMUS
TM(62)02	002,275	19	Colchester, High Woods Country Park, 14 July 1992. CNHS.
	00,27	19	Colchester, High Woods Country Park, 1 plant on stream bank. 19 October 1986. Tim Pyner.
	035,220	19	Wivenhoe Woods, 5 plants; just south of small stream. 29 May 2001 Terri Tarpey.
	035,220	19	Wivenhoe Woods, 1 plant by path. 1 June 1993. CNHS.
	05,29	19	Ardley, churchyard. D.I.Chapman{Flora of Essex 1974].
	07,23	19	Fratinghall Wood, Stnley T Jermyn.
TM(62)03	09,30	19	15 February 1987.CNHS.
TM(62)11	121,157	19	St. Osyths Priory, 1 plant in flower bed. 19 April 1981. K J Adams.
	12,18	19	1985. Bill Chisholm, Gordon Grogan.
TM(62)12	182,221	19	Thorpe Le Soken, 10 plus plants lane side adjacent to Hall Row Wood. 25 May 2020. Tendring Wild Flower Group.
	12,27	19	1987. Ian Rose.
	14,24	19	1987.CNHMus.
	17,26	19	1985. Jerremy Heath
TM(62)13	11,31	19	1984. Ian Rose.
	1817,3192	19	Wrabness, 11 large plants, north ditch of sycamore plantation between East and West Grove. 1 June 1975. K J Adams et EFC.
	18,30	19	Stour Estuary, 04-Apr-82. CNHS; roadside ditch.1997. Russell Leavett.
	18,31	19	Stour Estuary, 1985; 1999. Russell Leavett.
	18,31	19	Wrabness, Stour Wood, a few plants ditchbanks. 18 July 1999. Tim Pyner.
	19,31	19	Wrabness, Copperas Wood, stream bank.11 August. 1991. Tim Pyner.
	19,30	19	Stour Estuary, 1982.CNHS.
	19,31	19	gully on east edge. 1996, Russell Leavett.
	19,31	19	gully with west field
	196,317	19	Wrabness, Copperas Wood, frequent, steep gulley above stream by R. Stour. 1983. Tim Pyner.
TM(62)21	202,192	19	Great Holland Pits, N.R. 1978. EWT. 1991. heavily shaded bank by pond c.10 plants. Janie Berry, Anne Guiver, Jo Marshall. One plant October 2015. Bob Seago. after absence for many years.
	2237,1991	19	Frinton & Walton C.P. 2 plants by Kirby Brook.27 April 2018. Tendring Wild Flower Group.
TM(62)23	20,31	19	Copperas Wood, 1983, frequent streamside. CNHS & Tim Pyner; 1999. Russell Leavett.
	2417,3167	19	Harwich C.P., The Hangings. 19 July 2018. Tendring Wild Flower Group.

Pre 1930 records:

		18	Lane nr. Barking, Edward Forster. FLORA 1862.
			Epping, Thomas Moore
		18	Lane nr. Shenfield, W. L.P. Garnons.
		18	Great Warley, William Hind
		18	South Weald, William Hind
		18	Navestock, William Hind.
			Chelmsford, Arthur Wallace.
		19	Boreham, Horatio Piggot.
		19	Broomfield, Horatio Piggot.
		18	Writtle, Horatio Piggot.
		19	Hatfield Peverel, Horatio Piggot.
			Ulting, Horatio Piggot.
		19	Kelvedon, Ezekliel Varenne.
			Langford, Horatio Piggot.
		19	Mile End Heath, Colchester, W.L.P.Garnons.
		18	Between Hockley & Rayleigh, Henry Ibbotson.
		18	Near Rochford, Henry Ibbotson.