Polystichum discretum

Polystichum discretum (D.Don) J.Sm., J. Bot. (Hooker) 3: 413 (1841) (syn: Aspidium aculeatum var. nigropaleaceum Christ ; Aspidium aculeatum var. yunnanense Christ ; Aspidium discretum D.Don; Polystichum kathmanduense Nakaike ; Polystichum lobatum var. discretum (D.Don) C.Chr.; Polystichum nigropaleaceum (Christ) Diels ; Polystichum setiferum var. crenatum N.C.Nair ; Polystichum setiferum var. nigropaleaceum (Christ) Sledge ; Polystichum wallichianum C.Presl);
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N. Pakistan to China (Yunnan) and Indo-China: Assam, China South-Central, East Himalaya, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Tibet, West Himalaya as per POWO;
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Fern for id from Chakrata area- 020826jm3: Mixed thread: 6 correct images.
Clicked on 31.3.26 in and around the Chakrata (7000 ft.) area, Uttarakhand.

Presumably Polystichum discretum – but as I mentioned, one has to be able to see the stipe scales in situ.

But you can look and learn for yourself – P. discretum has all narrow sales and fibrils. The sometimes similar P. yunnanense has castaneous dark broad scales at the stipe-base, like P. piceopaleaceum.

References:
POWO BSI Flora of China FOC illustration iNaturalist Pteridoportal

Updated on August 27, 2026

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