NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details
Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]
Rattlesnake Fern
Scientific Name: |
Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum] |
|---|---|
Genus: |
Botrypus |
Species Epithet: |
virginianus |
Common Name: |
Rattlesnake Fern |
Plant Type |
Fern/Clubmoss/Allies |
Life Cycle |
Perennial |
Plant Family |
Ophioglossaceae (Adders-Tongue Family) |
Native/Alien: |
NC Native |
Size: |
0-1 ft. |
Light: |
Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day, Less than 2 hours of sun per day |
Soil Moisture: |
Dry, Moist |
Bloom Time: |
April, May, June |
Growing Area: |
Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain |
Habitat Description: |
in a wide range of fairly dry, mesic, and wet forests, cove forests; common. April-June. |
Leaf Retention: |
Deciduous |
Leaf Type: |
Fern Frond |
Leaf Form: |
Nothing Specified |
Life Cycle: |
Perennial |
Wildlife Value: |
No known wildlife value |
Landscape Value: |
Suitable for home landscapes |
State Rank: |
S5: Secure (*Key) |
Global Rank: |
G5 - Secure (*Key) |
Notes: |
Fertile fronds arise from the base of the blade. |
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Fern with Fertile Frond Eastern Wake County
Bill Switzer |
|
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Close-up of one Frond Eastern Wake County
by Bill Switzer, April 2020 |
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Close-up of Fertile Frond Eastern Wake County
by Bill Switzer, April 2020 |
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Fertile frond in the process of unfurling in early spring. Seven Mile Creek Natural Area, Orange County, NC
Bettina Darveaux |
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The sterile blade emerges midway up the stem and the fertile blade is at the top. Seven Mile Creek Natural Area, Orange Co., NC
Bettina Darveaux |
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Links: |
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/botrychium-virginianum/ |
![The Scientific Name is Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]. You will likely hear them called Rattlesnake Fern. This picture shows the Fern with Fertile Frond of Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]](https://ncwildflower.org/images/plants/WLS20180518_1.jpeg "Fern with Fertile Frond of Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]")
![The Scientific Name is Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]. You will likely hear them called Rattlesnake Fern. This picture shows the Close-up of one Frond of Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]](https://ncwildflower.org/images/plants/WLS20200427_2.png "Close-up of one Frond of Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]")
![The Scientific Name is Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]. You will likely hear them called Rattlesnake Fern. This picture shows the Close-up of Fertile Frond of Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]](https://ncwildflower.org/images/plants/WLS20200427_3.png "Close-up of Fertile Frond of Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]")
![The Scientific Name is Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]. You will likely hear them called Rattlesnake Fern. This picture shows the Fertile frond in the process of unfurling in early spring. of Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]](https://ncwildflower.org/images/plants/Botrypus_virginianus_IMG_4581_BD.jpeg "Fertile frond in the process of unfurling in early spring. of Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]")
![The Scientific Name is Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]. You will likely hear them called Rattlesnake Fern. This picture shows the The sterile blade emerges midway up the stem and the fertile blade is at the top. of Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]](https://ncwildflower.org/images/plants/Botrypus_virginianus_IMG_4629_BD.jpeg "The sterile blade emerges midway up the stem and the fertile blade is at the top. of Botrypus virginianus [= Botrychium virginianum]")
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