Polystichum aculeatum (L.) Roth

Spice Abaxial surface Image 2 In the field

Family: ASPIDIACEAE

Genus: Polystichum

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Eurosiberian

IUCN Category: ENEndangered

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Rock crevices and cliff faces. Rock creviceses.

Characteristics: This is a large fern (our Mediterranean setting taken into context), with leaves that grow to a metre in height, coriaceous, and dark green in colour. The petiole is covered with brown scales. The lamina is bipinnate with serrate and set pinnulae. Sori are located at the end secondary nerves. Differs from P. setiferum as this later species the pinnulae are clearly separated from the veins and asymmetric at the base.