Polystichum setiferum (Forsskål) Woynar

Spice In the field Sorus

Family: ASPIDIACEAE

Genus: Polystichum

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

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca.

General distribution (Phytogeography): Cosmopolitan and subcosmopolitan

IUCN Category: ENEndangered

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Hemicryptophyte.

Habitats: Rock crevices and cliff faces. Rock creviceses.

Characteristics: This is a large fern (in our Mediterranean context), with leaves that can reach nearly a metre in length. The petiole is covered in brown scales. The pinnae are divided into clearly differentiated pinnules, which are asymmetrical at the base. It can be distinguished from Polystichum aculeatum because the pinnules are not clearly separated from one another, because they are connected at the base. This species lives hidden among big blocks of stone or in the cracks in the rocks, always in places without direct sunlight. It can be found bearing fruit from the end of spring to summer.