Botrypus virginianus
rattlesnake fern
Ophioglossaceae (Adder's-tongue family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
rattlesnake fern
Ophioglossaceae (Adder's-tongue family)
Introduction to Vascular Plants
Species Information
General:
Deciduous perennial, (5) 10-40 cm tall.
Trophophores:
Triangular, unstalked, deciduous, thin, herbaceous, divided in 3's or 3- to 4-pinnate, up to 25-35 cm long and about as wide; pinnae to 12 pairs, approximate to overlapping; pinnules lanceolate with saw-toothed margins and pointed tips.
Sporophores:
2-pinnate, 0.5-1.5 times length of trophophores.
Illustration
If more than one illustration is available for a species (e.g., separate illustrations were provided for two subspecies) then links to the separate images will be provided below. Note that individual subspecies or varietal illustrations are not always available.
Illustration Source: The Illustrated Flora of British Columbia
Habitat and Range
Mesic to wet alluvial forests and swamps and river banks in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; frequent throughout BC; circumpolar, N to AK, YT and NT, E to NF and S throughout all of the U.S.; Eurasia.Status Information
Synonyms
Synonyms and Alternate Names:
Botrychium virginianum (L.) Sw.