Polystichum lonchitis
Lance shield fern ( Polystichum lonchitis )
The lance shield fern ( Polystichum lonchitis ) is a plant of the genus shield ferns ( Polystichum ). Under the shield ferns, it is characterized by the only pinnate fronds. It comes in Central Europe, especially in the Limestone Alps before.
Description
When lance shield fern is a perennial herbaceous plant. The stiff upright and a maximum at the top of something hanging fronds can reach lengths between 10 and 50 centimeters, usually there are, however, 20 to 30 centimeters. The fronds are simply pinnate and narrow - lanceolate in outline. Your widest point is located approximately in the middle of frond or slightly above. The fronds are stalked very short. Your rachis in the lower part covered with light brown scales, which are further up little by little.
The rough leathery leaflets are in the lower part of the frond approximately triangular, above rather lanceolate and usually bent slightly forward. Its edge is thorny dentate, often with downwardly curved teeth, and at the top leaves with bristly spines extended. Often located at the bottom of the front edge, at least in the lower leaflets, a forward -looking, wide tooth.
Ecology
The fronds are wettable on the vascular bundles, which serves the additional water intake.
Occurrence
The lance shield fern is widespread throughout the temperate latitudes ( meridional to Arctic zone ) of the Northern Hemisphere. He is present there in the boreal forests and in the mountains, especially in limestone areas.
It grows in crevices and on swards. The lance shield fern is one of the highest growing ferns, which was still found for example at Morterat Glacier in Switzerland at an altitude of 2700 meters.
In Central Europe it is quite common in the limestone areas of the Alps and the Alpine foothills. Otherwise, it occurs rarely.
Use
The lance shield fern is recommended as an ornamental plant for shaded rock gardens and walls very. However, only specimens from horticultural culture are used.
Others
The lance shield fern forms with several other species of the genus easily hybrids. Otherwise, it is a species with little variable characteristics.