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Native Plant Database

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Botrychium virginianum (Rattlesnake fern)
Smith, R.W.

Botrychium virginianum (L.) Sw.

Rattlesnake fern

Ophioglossaceae (Adder's-Tongue Family)

USDA Symbol: bovi

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Reaching a height of 3 ft., this fern is unique in that its fertile portion is really a continuation of the main stem and rises from between the lower-most pinnae. The fronds, which occur singly, appear early in the spring and last through summer, though the fertile portion withers quickly. The sterile portion is twice-pinnate.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb , Fern
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf: Green
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AK , AL , AR , AZ , CA , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NV , NY , OH , OK , OR , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , UT , VA , VT , WA , WI , WV , WY
Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE
Native Distribution: Circumboreal, irregularly s. in America to FL, Mex. & w. WA
Native Habitat: Moist, rich, deciduous woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), AK(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Deep, humus-rich soil.
Conditions Comments: Requires more care than other ferns. Must have proper soil, water, and protection from insects and winds.

Propagation

Description: Propagate by spores.
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA

Herbarium Specimen(s)

NPSOT 0652 Collected Jun 6, 1992 in Medina County by Harry Cliffe

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Botrychium virginianum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Botrychium virginianum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Botrychium virginianum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2012-07-06
Research By: TWC Staff

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