BEECH FERN

Phegopteris connectilis

Formerly: Thelypteris phegopteris

Marsh & Beech Fern Family [Thelypteridaceae]

14th June 2016, Cym Idwal, North Wales.

Photo: © Dawn Nelson

Found solace under a large rock on a path.

Photo: © Dawn Nelson

Grows on acidic soils but avoiding very acidic soils in woods but usually avoiding Beech trees despite its name.

Photo: © Dawn Nelson

Its main identifying features are the two opposite and backwardly-directed leaflets set at an angle of about 90° to each other. The leaves are up to 50cm long and either taper to the tip, or taper both to the tip and to the rachis.

Photo: © Dawn Nelson

It will also be noticed that where a leaflet joins the central rachis (main stalk) there is a sudden widening of the leaf. And that these widenings of separate leaves are abutted to each other all along the rachis in regimental fashion: there are no staggered joins.

Photo: © Dawn Nelson

The leaves are pale-green and with minute hairs.

Sometimes the leaflets are also lobed, especially those nearer the main stem (see central leaflets).

Sometimes the leaflets are also lobed (those left of centre).

Some similarities to : Western Polypody (Polypodium interjectum) which might also sweep the last two leaflets downwards/backwards. Also to Lime-scented Fern (Oreopteris limbosperma) which also sweeps those leaflets which are closer to the roots backwards, but it sweeps several pairs backwards rather than just the lowest pair.

It grows in damp woods, on shaded rocks or on banks oi fairly acidic soils. Avoiding lime soils and the more-acidic soils.

Phegopteris

connectilis

⇐ Global Aspect ⇒

Thelypteridaceae

Distribution
family8Marsh & Beech Fern family8Thelypteridaceae
BSBI maps

Phegopteris
(Phegopteris)

BEECH FERN

Phegopteris connectilis

Formerly: Thelypteris phegopteris