Asplenium ceterach (Rusty Back Fern)

Whilst out searching for a "Ceterach" in Lancelot Clark Storth, I past a spring which normally contains Palmate Newts, but none showing today.  So I then continued my search for the Rusty Back Fern.

"Hey Mate, hey pal,
Newt in Spring today,
Onward South for Ceterach,
Summer gone,
And back
to rusty Autumn".

10th September 2013

So far I have found four colonies of this species within the confines of Hutton Roof, although it is quite common more North and West of here (I have seen lots of it in Grasmere and occasionally in Arnside) it is relatively harder to find in the immediate locality.  The main and best area has got to be the area on the Farleton side, here several plants are growing within the old filled in Lime Kiln area. 

I have also found it within two more localities, both within Lancelot Clark Storth (Cumbria Wildlife Trust), also a lovely 3 plant population on Burton Fell as well.  It looks well anytime of the year.

Area 1 (Whin Yeates)

Asplenium ceterach (Rusty Back Fern) at Whinn Yeates, Farleton Fell

Photo: taken 31st March 2019 - The Start

Asplenium ceterach (Rusty Back Fern) - Click over to enlarge
Photo: 10th April 2014

This photo is taken from the best out of the 3 groups of ceterach plants and it is within the

walls of the old ruined "Lime Kiln" which is situation on the Farleton side of Hutton Roof,

just on the footpath which leads to the west side of "Whinn Yeats".
 The date of the photo is 10th April 2014 and shows lots of new growth coming through.

Asplenium ceterach (Rusty Back Fern) - Click over to enlarge

This photo is from the same group of plants, I have pulled the frond over so you can see the
'rusty back' appearance, which subsequently gave the fern its common name of
Rusty Back.
Photo taken: 15th June 2012

Several species of ferns are growing in this old lime kiln
including 'ceterach' (Click over to enlarge)
This photo was taken on 13th June 2012

Another photo showing the rear of a frond (Click over to enlarge)

Again photo taken from group on Farleton side (west of Whinn Yeates)
Photo taken: May 2017

Asplenium ceterach (Rusty Back Fern) Click over to enlarge
Photo taken 23rd December 2013 (Farleton side)


Area 2 (Lancelot)

Asplenium ceterach (Rusty Back Fern) Click over to enlarge
Photo taken 23rd March 2019 at Area No.2 Lancelot Clark Storth


Area 3 (Lancelot)

Asplenium ceterach (Rusty Back Fern) Click over to enlarge

Photo taken 23rd March 2019 at Area No.3 Lancelot Clark Storth

Asplenium ceterach (Rusty Back Fern) Click over to enlarge
Photo taken 23rd March 2019 at Area No.3 Lancelot Clark Storth

Area 4 - Burton Fell

These Burton Fell specimens are open to the elements

yet must get a little shade from the limestone boulders