Flora of Northern Ireland
Botrychium lunaria
© Roy Anderson
Botrychium lunaria
© Alan Hill
Botrychium lunaria
© Alan Hill
Botrychium lunaria
(Map updated: March 2008)
Botrychium lunaria
© Graham Day
 

This is a curious-looking little fern with a leaf divided into fan-shaped leaflets and a spike of sporangia arising from its base. The size of the plant varies from about 4 - 20 cm in height.

It grows in dry ground in pastures, sand-dunes, on rocky slopes and in heathland. It has a reputation for being inconstant in its appearances from one year to the next.

All names: Botrychium lunaria (L.) Sw.