Andrew Chick Ecology

Parsley Fern (Cryptogramma crispa) is one of the characteristic plants of the Cumbrian fells, growing amongst rocks, boulders and scree, particularly on acidic ground. Its finely divided, bright green sterile fronds have a distinctive parsley-like appearance, giving the fern its English name. The fertile fronds are rather different, with much narrower segments that bear the spores.

Although generally rather local in Britain, Parsley Fern is particularly characteristic of the Lake District, which supports the most extensive areas of Parsley Fern-rich scree in the UK.

Growing from seemingly inhospitable cracks and gaps between rocks, as in the photograph, it is beautifully adapted to the cool, wet and rocky landscape of the Lakeland fells.