Other common names:
Virginia Grape Fern Other scientific names: Botrychium virginianum, Osmunda virginiana French names:
Botryche de Virginie Family: Adder's Tongue Family (Ophioglossaceae) Similar species: • Grape Ferns - fertile stalk separates from main stem below leaves. • Oak Fern (Gymnocarpium dryopteris) - stalk much thinner; whole plant more delicate; lacks fertile stalk. • Robert's Fern (Gymnocarpium robertianum) - very similar to Rattlesnake Fern. • Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) - larger; lacks fertile stalk.
Fronds: Thrice divided; Three main leaves (fronds). Height:
12-38 cm (5-15 in) Habitat: Forests Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
Common.
Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: virginianum: of Virginia Photographs:
168 photographs available, of which 11 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Range Map is at the bottom of the page
Rattlesnake Fern is distinguished from the Grape Ferns by its single stem that holds both the three fronds as well as the fertile stalk.
It has three fronds arranged evenly around the stem. The fertile stalk sticks straight up from the center.
Fertile stalk unfurling (mid-May).
A plant without a fertile stalk.
Unfurling in the spring (early May).
Closeup of a young fertile stalk.
A more developed fertile stalk.
Closeup of part of a fully developed fertile stalk, showing unopened sori.
Herbarium specimen showing the full plant, including roots.
(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium,Burlington,Ontario).
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)
