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![](https://i0.wp.com/elmedinaturaldelbages.cat/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/polystichum2.jpg?resize=587%2C440&ssl=1)
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The soft shield fern (Polystichum setiferum) is a luxuriant fern with basal, overlaping 1 meter length shapes with mossy mound appearance. These big fronds have an scaly stalk and a two times cut blade ending in stalked linear lanceolate pinnules. The pinnule near the rachis is bigger, like a thumb. The round, small sori grow on the reverse of the blades.
The soft shield fern is rare in Bages where it is found only in humid ravines, in the pre-litoral mountains range of Montserrat and Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac. On the other hand, it’s quite frequent in the shadows of the coastal range in Collserola.