Hardy Tropicals UK

I got this fern in the pics a couple of months ago, I suspect its not what it was sold to me as. What do you think it is?

Could easily be Dryopteris filix-mas. What was it labelled as?

i thought it looked like some kind of polystichum

It doesn't have the characteristic Polystichum basal lobules.

well i don't even know what that is so ignore me

Mr List wrote:well i don't even know what that is so ignore me

It's that in Polystichum species, the basal forward-pointing lobule (red arrow) on each pinna is distinctly larger than the other lobules; this isn't anything like as obvious on Dryopteris species.

It was sold to me as a Matteuccia struthiopteris (shuttlecock fern) by Bowden Hosta. When I got it, it was more or less a rhizome. I was hoping it would develop the ostrich like fronds, but clearly that hasn't happened.

Certainly doesn't look like that!

Conifers wrote:Could easily be Dryopteris filix-mas. What was it labelled as?

That's what my guess would be too.

Thanks for your help!

So definitely not a Matteuccia struthiopteris then? I don't know whether to count my losses or take it up with Bowden its been a couple of months since I bought it.

Dryopteris filix-mas is one of the commonest native ferns, I'd guess it grew from spores that blew in, and no-one noticed it had replaced a Matteuccia that had died.

Did it cost much? If yes, then complain; if it wasn't much, then it's not worth the hassle.

If it helps GD, here's a pic one of my juvenile shuttlecocks for comparison ( pup from last year) plus a pic of my shuttlecock bed .................
and a mature shuttlecock. I have 2 this size which have now formed "trunks" about 12" high.

your shuttlecocks look different to mine, have you got the 'jumbo' variety because that is supposed to have a larger more open crown.

Mr List wrote:your shuttlecocks look different to mine, have you got the 'jumbo' variety because that is supposed to have a larger more open crown.

I don't Know tbh MrL. I bought two a few years ago now. With their "trunks" they stand about 4ft high. Its possible it looks very open in the crown as its ready to flush again. The good thing about these is the number of pups to split off and plant eleswhere.
One of my favourite ferns , just wish they were evergreen

Thanks Arlon that's very helpful

Its sunk in now that I don't have a shuttlecock fern. So I'll email Bowden about it