Flourishing Ferns

The smallest of our ferns, Black Spleenwort (note the 50p coin)

I was at Sustead with the Habitat Sub-Group yesterday planning the winter work programme when the late flourish of ferns caught our eye. The Common and Spurrell's Wood are well populated with native ferns; eight species have been found there to date. They thrive, particularly along Gur Beck with its moist and shady conditions, and have defied the summer drought.

..and the largest, the imposing Golden Scaly Male fern