Ontario Ferns website

Leathery Grape Fern
Sceptridium multifidum
(formerly Botrychium multifidum)

Other scientific names: Botrychium multifidum, Botrychium coulteri, Botrychium ternatum, Osmunda multifida

French names: Botryche à feuilles couchée 

Family: Adder's Tongue Family (Ophioglossaceae)

Group: Grape Ferns

Similar species:
  •   Daisy Leaf Grape Fern (Botrychium matricariifolium)

  •   Cut-leaved Grape Fern (Sceptridium dissectum) - Grape Ferns are difficult to tell apart.

  •   Rattlesnake Fern (Botrypus virginianus) - has three leaves (fronds) with the fertile stalk sticking straight up from the junction.

  •   Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) - larger, tougher; usually in more open areas.

Fronds: Evergreen, Thrice divided;  Single leaf (frond); leathery.

Height: 15-30 cm (6-12 in)

Habitat: Forests, Fields and Open Areas

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Not very common.

Notes: This fern has many variable forms. Grape Ferns are difficult to tell apart. New fronds appear in July-August. The yellowed remains of last year's fronds are still present at this time.

Photographs: 25 photographs available, of which 8 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Leathery Grape Fern (Sceptridium multifidum)

The fertile frond sticks up well above the infertile frond.

Leathery Grape Fern (Sceptridium multifidum)

The infertile frond.

Leathery Grape Fern (Sceptridium multifidum)

Leathery Grape Fern (Sceptridium multifidum)

Infertile frond.

Leathery Grape Fern (Sceptridium multifidum)

Last year's yellowed frond can be seen lying on the ground. The two types of frond/stalk split off right at or near ground level.

Leathery Grape Fern (Sceptridium multifidum)

Photos of herbarium specimens. This shows the whole plant, with one leaf (frond) attached, and the fertile stalk sticking straight up.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium,Burlington,Ontario).

Leathery Grape Fern (Sceptridium multifidum)

Detail of a leaf.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium,Burlington,Ontario).

Leathery Grape Fern (Sceptridium multifidum)

Detail of the fertile end.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium,Burlington,Ontario).


Range map for Leathery Grape Fern (Sceptridium multifidum)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)