This website makes extensive use of JavaScript. For a richer experience please enable JavaScript in your browser.

High contrast version - your agreement to receive cookies is required

To view a high contrast version of our website we will need to give your computer two cookies. These are functional cookies - they do not collect any of your personal data, but simply remember that you agree to receiving the colour scheme cookies and that you want this website to have a high contrast colour scheme.

If you would like to turn on the high contrast function and receive the cookies, click on the 'accept' button. You will be able to delete the cookies at any time from your machine. If you do not want these cookies or no longer want the site to appear in high contrast colours, click the 'cancel' button. If you do not accept the cookie this function will not work.

We are asking your permission to place these cookies on your machine as part of the European e-Privacy Directive which applies to all sites in the UK. You can find out more about the Directive, the cookies we use on our website and how you can control cookies at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/privacypolicy.htm#cookies.

Resizing the text size - your agreement to receive cookies is required

To change the size of the text on our website we will need to give your computer two cookies. These are functional cookies. One remembers that you have agreed to receiving the text size cookie while the other one remembers what size of text you have chosen to view the site with. Neither of the cookies collect any of your personal data.

If you would like to change the text size and receive the cookies, click on the 'accept' button. You will be able to delete the cookies at any time from your machine. If you do not want the cookies or no longer want the site to appear with different sized text, click the 'cancel' button. If you do not accept the cookies this function will not work.

We are asking your permission to place these cookies on your machine as part of the European e-Privacy Directive which applies to all sites in the UK. You can find out more about the Directive, the cookies we use on our website and how you can control cookies at www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/privacypolicy.htm#cookies.

Hart's-tongue fern

Taxonomic information

Common Name: Hart’s-tongue Fern

Latin Name: Phyllitis scolopendrium

Family: Aspleniaceae (Spleenwort family)

Description

Hart's-tongue fern Hart's-tongue fern
Wrap

The hart’s-tongue fern is unusual because unlike most British ferns it has simple rather than pinnate leaves. It is a member of the spleenwort family. The name spleenwort refers to the use of the plants to treat conditions affecting the spleen and liver.

The hart’s-tongue fern is common throughout the British Isles except for northern Scotland where its distribution is more scattered. It can be found in shady moist rocky places, banks, walls and woods.

In the Yorkshire Dales National Park the ferns make an important contribution to the local flora. Hart’s-tongue fern is shade-tolerant and prefers lime-rich soils and can be found in dark and damp environments including the grykes of limestone pavements and in woodlands such as upland mixed ashwoods.

Like this page? Share it:

Yorkshire Dales National Park

Calcareous grassland habitat, © Whitfield Benson.
Curlew, © Whitfield Benson.
Frog orchid, © Whitfield Benson.
Heather moorland habitat, © YDNPA.
Juniper on Moughton, © Frances Graham.
Lapwing, © Whitfield Benson.
Limestone pavement habitat at Scar Close, © Whitfield Benson.
Otter, © Whitfield Benson.
Northern brown argus butterfly, © YDNPA.
Red squirrel, © Whitfield Benson.
Twite, © Whitfield Benson.
Upland lake habitat, © Whitfield Benson.
Garden tiger moth, © Whitfield Benson.

Sorry to interrupt, but what do you think of this website?

You could win a luxury picnic hamper packed to the brim with delicious local produce that you could enjoy in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. All you have to do is fill in our quick survey.

Start linksend