Common Ferns - Wild ID Guide

From Hart’s-tongue to Hard-fern, from Male-fern to Moonwort, the Wild ID Common Ferns guide is a practical identification guide to these plants.

• Identification guide to 38 fern species in Britain and Ireland
• Also includes straightforward identification key
• Practical for use outdoors: lightweight, rucksack-sized, splash-proof

Ferns are a fascinating group of plants, though they do have a reputation of being tricky for beginners. However, they are an important group for novice botanists to learn about. Fortunately in Britain and Ireland there are not too many species to tackle. So if you have never tried to identify ferns, WildID Ferns guide is a great place to start. Only one tool is required, a x10 hand lens.

Beautiful colour illustrations highlight the key identification features of each species. The accompanying text includes a clear identification key and a precise glossary of technical terms. A visual guide to frond architecture, along with line drawings of important features, further supports identification. Since frond structure and shape are central to recognising ferns, these aspects are given particular emphasis. Additionally, in some species, the spore-bearing structures on the underside of the fronds provide further valuable clues.

Ferns and allied plants appeared 400 million years ago, around 250 million years before the flowering plants. Although ferns lack flowers and seeds, they are not primitive. Instead they spread through spores, a reproductive process shared with mosses and liverworts. The most visible parts are the spore-bearing leaves, or fronds.

Field Studies Council worked with the British Pteridological Society to produce WildID Ferns guide.

These popular wildlife field guides measure 24.5 cm x 17.5 cm and are extremely lightweight so are the perfect identification aid for popping in your bag when heading outside. All wildlife identification guides are laminated, so are shower-proof and wipe-clean for use outside.