Andrew Chick Ecology

The Brittle Bladder-fern (Cystopteris fragilis) is a small and delicate fern, typically found growing in cool, shaded and often damp places. It is particularly associated with limestone rocks, cliffs, screes and old stone walls, where it can grow from surprisingly small cracks and crevices.

Its finely divided, pale to mid-green fronds give the plant a rather soft and feathery appearance. The name “brittle” is particularly appropriate, as the slender stalks are easily broken, making the whole plant seem much more fragile than many of our more robust native ferns.

Brittle Bladder-fern is widely distributed in Britain but is most characteristic of northern and western areas, especially where suitable rocky habitats occur. In the Lake District it can be found on shaded walls, rocky outcrops and amongst scree, particularly where the underlying rock provides suitable base-rich conditions.

Although easily overlooked amongst larger ferns, it is an attractive little plant. A clump emerging from the cracks of an old stone wall or shaded rock face is a lovely example of how ferns can exploit even the smallest pockets of suitable habitat.