The golden shield fern or scaly male fern is native to the moist woodlands of eastern Europe and western Asia where it is an evergreen plant. It grows into a classic shuttlecock form with yellowish-green fronds when young, maturing into dark green fronds. The base of each frond is covered with distinctive tawny scales. This slow-growing fern can grow to about 3-4 feet high and wide and develop a tree fern-like trunk at the base.

This plant is best suited to moist shady areas as either an understory plant, bedding plant or a specimen. It was awarded the Royal Horticulture Society Award of Garden Merit for its reliability and vigor.