Photo ©
Carl Farmer |
Very rare in the north of the area; occasional in the south. In damp shady places. Fronds c 60-150 cm long. ID: Pinnules as in bottom two pictures; only likely to be confused with Hard Shield Fern. The difference is that on Soft SF the majority of pinnules on a pinna from near the middle of the frond form an angle of 90º or more at their base (see pic below right), at which point there is a short stalk connecting the pinnule to the pinna midrib. In Hard SF the angle is less than 90º and the stalk is absent or is simply a narrowing of the pinnule. Hybrids between the two have been recorded. Other features: Fronds as soft as on the average fern, not at all glossy or stiff like Hard SF. Darkness or paleness is no guide to id. Tips of pinnules hair-pointed. Lowest pinnae typically about as long as middle ones. |
