Hard shield-fern (Polystichum aculeatum, Tent. Fl. Germ. 3(1.1): 79 (1799))

Family: Polypodiaceae

Author: (L.) Roth

Bibliography: Tent. Fl. Germ. 3(1.1): 79 (1799)

Year: 1799

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Polystichum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, NW. Africa, Europe to Xinjiang

Description

The Hard shield-fern, scientifically known as Polystichum aculeatum, stands as a prominent species within the Polypodiaceae family. Originally detailed in the publication “Tent. Fl. Germ.” in 1799 by the botanist Albrecht Wilhelm Roth, this plant has captured the intrigue of botanists and nature enthusiasts alike.

Polystichum aculeatum thrives in diverse geographical regions, prominently in Macaronesia, Northwest Africa, and stretches its presence across Europe to the vast ranges of Xinjiang. This wide distribution highlights the fern’s adaptability and evolutionary success in various climates and terrains.

The taxonomical journey of the Hard shield-fern is notable, traceable to the influential work of Carl Linnaeus. Roth’s contribution polished its description and taxonomy, augmenting our understanding of this species and aiding its identification across its extensive range.

Members of the Polypodiaceae family, including Polystichum aculeatum, are renowned for their hardy nature and resilience. The Hard shield-fern exemplifies these traits, often found in forested, shaded areas where it can fully exhibit its lush, green fronds, which are characteristically spiky—hence, the descriptor “aculeatum” in its scientific name, meaning “prickly” or “spiny.”

Botanically, the Hard shield-fern is an evergreen perennial, forming robust clumps that create a striking visual in its natural habitat. Its pinnate fronds are accentuated by a dark, glossy green coloration, enabling an adaptive advantage for photosynthesis under canopy shade. The plant’s overall structure, with rigid fronds and a tufty base, further supports its persistence in various ecological niches.

Observations of Polystichum aculeatum across its habitat range reveal its ecological importance. In woodland environments, it contributes to the undergrowth layer, providing shelter and contributing to the biodiversity of the ecosystem. In some cultures, it has been historically valued for its ornamental beauty and has a presence in traditional horticulture.

In summary, the Hard shield-fern, Polystichum aculeatum, is a testament to botanical resilience and adaptability. Its broad distribution, distinctive morphology, and ecological role make it a significant species within the Polypodiaceae family, meriting its recognition in botanical literature and cultivation.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig skjoldbregne, glat skjoldbregne, ægte skjoldbregne
Deu: dorniger schildfarn, gelappter schildfarn
Eng: hard shield-fern, hard shield fern, hard-shield fern
Spa: portia
Lav: daivaina cietpaparde
Nor: hvas-jedske
Fra: polystic à aiguillons
Nld: stijve naaldvaren
Swe: uddbräken
Cym: gwrychdredynen galed, gwrychredyn caled, gwrychredynen galed, march-redynen glustiog, marchredynen wrychog
En: Hard shield-fern
Zh: 欧洲耳蕨
Cs: Kapradina laločnatá
Nl: Stijve naaldvaren
Et: Ogane astelsõnajalg
Fi: Piikkihärkylä
Fr: Polystic à aiguillons
De: Gelappter Schildfarn, Dorniger Schildfarn
Hu: Karéjos vesepáfrány
Ga: Ibheag chrua
Lt: Miškinis spyglainis
No: Falkbregne
Fa: سرخس مقدس
Pl: Paprotnik kolczysty
Sv: Uddbräken
Uk: Багаторядник шипуватий
Cy: Gwrychredynen galed
: Hard shield fern

Synonyms

• Polystichum aculeatum subsp. lobatum ((Huds.) Vollm.)
• Hypopeltis aculeata ((L.) Tod.)
• Dryopteris setifera subsp. lobata ((Huds.) Maire)
• Polystichum stipitatum (Chauvin)
• Polystichum pseudolochnitis (Bellynck ex Dumort.)
• Aspidium lobatum var. rigidum (Christ)
• Dryopteris aculeata subsp. lobata ((Huds.) Briq.)
• Polystichum plukenetii (DC.)
• Polystichum aculeatum var. aristatum ((Christ) Askerov)
• Aetopteron aculeatum ((L.) House)
• Aspidium aculeatum ((L.) Sw.)
• Nephrodium aculeatum ((L.) Coss. & Germ.)
• Aspidium munitum (Sadl.)
• Aspidium plukenetii (Steud.)
• Tectaria aculeata ((L.) Lag., Garcia & Clem.)
• Aspidium lobatum var. ramosum (Gray)
• Polystichum lobatum ((Huds.) Bastard)
• Aspidium aculeatum var. aristatum (Christ)
• Aspidium bosniacum (Formánek)
• Aspidium pseudolonchitis (Dumort.)
• Dryopteris aculeata var. normalis (Kuntze)
• Aspidium aculeatum var. cambricum (Gray)
• Dryopteris lobata ((Huds.) Schinz & Thell.)
• Aspidium aculeatum var. muscosum (Gray)
• Polystichum aculeatum var. corymbiferum (T.Moore ex J.Dix)
• Polypodium aculeatum var. minor (Lej.)
• Hypopeltis lobulata (Bory)
• Aspidium sublobatum (Blume)
• Aspidium lobatum ((Huds.) Sw.)
• Dryopteris aculeata ((L.) Kuntze)
• Polypodium aculeatum (L.)
• Aspidium aculeatum f. simplicius (Lindm.)
• Aspidium aculeatum var. plukenetii ((Loisel.) Rouy)
• Phymatodes plukenetii (C.Presl)
• Aspidium aculeatum f. typica (Stuck.)
• Aspidium aculeatum subsp. lobatum ((Huds.) Milde)
• Aspidium aculeatum var. lobatum ((Huds.) Warnst.)
• Aspidium haleakalense (Mann)
• Dryopteris aculeatum subsp. lobata ((Huds.) Briq.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Feb 23, 2022 by PlantWizard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2020 by Rodríguez Riesgo Mónica (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 23, 2022 by célia célia (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 17, 2010 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2022 by Anatas (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 17, 2010 by Martin Bishop (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 25, 2020 by Daniel Bäck (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 24, 2022 by Nicola Loher (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2021 by Mariska Eekma (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 21, 2022 by Rosa Sulis (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7319269)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:17413440-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Polystichum aculeatum (L.) Roth ex Mert.)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7925113)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 3

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’, ‘oct’]

Soil nutriments: 6