The New Zealand Plant Conservation Network

These ferns grow near my work and I thought they were prickly shield ferns when young but now that it's grown I am not sure what i have?

Hi Andre,
This is male fern, Dryopteris filix-mas, found naturally in Europe, North Africa, Asia and North America, the mass of golden scales gives it away, but if you look at the indusia (covers over the sporangia) on the backs of the fronds they will be kidney shaped (unless they've shrivelled). Prickley shield fern, Polystichum have circular indusia, Polystichum are also dark green and have harsh fronds when compared to male fern. Male fern are becoming more and more common in out of the way places. They are definitely weeds so the best thing is to pull them out and compost. However they are really tough plants, in the back-country if they are pulled out and left on the ground they will re-establish.
Cheers
Graeme

thanks graeme,

very informative. I can vouch they are very hardy and can survive sitting on the surface as you describe. Quite disappointed it is an exotic will have to pull them all out! I have seen many of these in the wild.
cheers!