Struthiopteris spicant

Struthiopteris spicant, syn. Blechnum spicant, is a species of fern in the family Blechnaceae. It is known by the common names hard-fern or deer fern.

Description

Like some other species in the family Blechnaceae, it has two types of leaves. The sterile leaves have flat, wavy-margined leaflets wide, while the fertile leaves have much narrower leaflets, each with two thick rows of sori on the underside.

Taxonomy

The species was first described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus as Osmunda spicant. It has been placed in a wide range of genera, including Blechnum. In the Pteridophyte Phylogeny Group classification of 2016, it is placed in the genus Struthiopteris, in the subfamily Blechnoideae.
The Latin specific epithet spicant is of uncertain origin, possibly referring to a tufted or spiky habit.

Distribution and habitat

It is native to Europe, western Asia, northern Africa, and western North America.
S. spicant is hardy down to and evergreen, growing to.

Uses

The root, shoots and leaves can be cooked as famine food.
It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.