with deep green leathery sterile 20-45cm long, forming dense, spreading rosettes and erect fertile fronds arising from the centre. Europe, including the British Isles, in peaty acid soils with a high water table, occasionally in rocky flushes in mountains. Several cultivars have been named, but are slow to propagate and are seldom available. B.s. 'Cristatum' has leaves 25cm long terminating in a good crest. B.s. 'Crispo-Minutissimum' is very dwarf and congested. B.s. 'Bipinnatum' has bipinnate leaves 20cm long. B.s. var. imbricatum has long, horizontal leaves, the pinnae so closely set that they overlap like the tiles on a roof.
a, B. penna-marina; b, B. spicant;
