Hart's-tongue fern

Knottman and Mrs. K. two years ago joined with a local conservation Trust and a couple of other individuals to buy land to create another local nature reserve. Part of this is a hay meadow which we are working to restore to a flower rich meadow. This morning Mrs.K. took part in the annual botanical survey to measure progress towards our objective. I am pleased to say that already there are many new flower species growing and one can see amarked change.

The part of the site bought by the Knottmans is ancient woodland on limestone pavement. Today's blip shows Asplenium scolopendrium which loves to grow in the grykes on the moss covered pavement.

This fern is widespread in Europe. Unlike many other ferns it has undivided fronds. It is uncommon and difficult to grow in North America but nobody seems to be sure why that should be so.