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Practical ecological knowledge for the temperate reader. |
Family: Ophioglossaceae (Adder's-tongue) [E-flora]
"Roots smooth, pale yellow, without bulblets or plantlets. Leaf: deciduous; bud glabrous; sporophore and trophophore (or 2 sporophores) joined at or well above ground level; trophophore generally 1–2-pinnate (simple or entire or 0), linear to deltate to ternately triangular, thin to fleshy, pinnae ovate to oblong and midribbed or wedge- to fan-shaped and not midribbed, veins free, forked; sporophore 1–2-pinnate, rarely absent. Sporangia: not sunken in axis; stalk 0 or short.
25–35 species: generally temperate to arctic or alpine. (Greek: bunch of grapes, from clusters of sporangia) [Stensvold 2007 Ph.D. Dissertation, Iowa State Univ; Wagner & Wagner 1993 FNANM 2:85–106] Difficult, needs study; most species uncommon, sporadic; good sampling of populations highly desirable in specimens, which must be carefully spread and pressed for identification. Botrychium multifidum moved to Sceptridium. Botrychium pedunculosum W.H. Wagner, differing from Botrychium pinnatum in having trophophore stalk ± = trophophore rachis (vs trophophore stalk 0 to 1/10 trophophore rachis), recently confirmed for California, based on discovery in summer of 2010 near Reynolds Creek, western of Yosemite National Park, Calaveras Co." [Jepson]
Local Species;
References
"General: Deciduous perennial, 5-13 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Mesic to moist grassy fields and meadows in the lowland and montane zones; rare in SW and SE BC; N to AK, disjunct in ON, S to CO, ID, NV and CA." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
References
SUBTAXA PRESENT IN BC
"General: Deciduous perennial, 3-25 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Mesic to wet rocky slopes, meadows and woods in the montane to subalpine zones; infrequent throughout BC; circumpolar, N to AK and YT, E to SK and S to NM, AZ and CA; Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
References
"Botrychium lunaria is a FERN growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in). It is hardy to zone (UK) 2. The seeds ripen from Jun to August.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil." [PFAF]
"General: Deciduous perennial, 2-20 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range
Mesic to moist woods, meadows, grassy slopes and heath from the montane to alpine zones; infrequent in BC; circumpolar, N to AK, YT and NT, E to NF and S to ME, PA, MI, WI, MN, ND, NM, AZ and CA; Eurasia, Australia, New Zealand, Patagonia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Origin Status: Unlisted [E-flora]
Lore
"(Botrychium lunaria) Moonwort, so called because of the crescent shape of its leaflets, so it has always been associated with moonlight and magic. It was believed to wax and wane like the moon, and to shine at night (Coats. 1975). Like other “moon” plants, it was supposed to have the power of repelling snakes, and of opening locks (R T Gunther. 1905). Any horse that trod on one would cast a shoe, and burglars would make an incision in the palm of their hand and put a piece of moonwort under it, for this would give them a hand that would open bolts and bars at a touch (Coats. 1975)." [DPL Watts]
Cultivation
"Prefers a moist free-draining soil[1]. The prothalli (small plants formed when the spores germinate) of this species form a symbiotic relationship with a mycorrhizal fungus in much the same way as orchid seedlings[200]. Plants can be hard to establish, they can be naturalized in a meadow or cultivated in the border where they should be left undisturbed[200]. Unlike most species of ferns, the fronds of this species grow up straight and not curled inward, crozier fashion[4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]." [PFAF]
Propagation
"Spores - best surface sown as soon as they are ripe in a greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. Placing the pot in a plastic bag helps to maintain a humid atmosphere which promotes germination and growth. Prick out small clumps into pots when they are large enough to handle and keep moist until established. Grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter and plant out in late spring. Division. It is best not to try and disturb this plant[200]." [PFAF]
Synonyms
Botrychium lunaria subsp. lunaria
Botrychium lunaria subsp. occidentale A. Löve & D. Löve & Kapoor
Botrychium lunaria var. onondagense (Underw.) House
Botrychium onondagense Underw. Broun [E-flora]
"General: Deciduous perennial, 3-10 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Mesic to wet woods, meadows, in the montane to alpine zones; infrequent in BC; N to AK, YT and NT, E to NF and S to NY, MI, WI, MN, ND, CO, AZ and CA." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
Synonyms
References
"General: Evergreen perennial, 7-30 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Moist to wet meadows, grassy clearings, lake margins, riverbanks, alluvial forests in the lowland and montane zones; frequent south of 55degreeN; circumpolar, N to AK, E to NF and S to MA, NY, WV, OH, IL, IA, SD, CO, AZ and CA; Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Unlisted [E-flora]
Synonyms
References
"General: Deciduous perennial, 3-15 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Notes: The only North American collections of Botrychium boreale Milde have been recently collected in Kootenay National Park, SE BC (W.H. Wagner, pers. comm.). It is difficult to separate from B. pinnatum, but the lowermost pinnae have shallow, narrow sinuses (they are wide and deep in B. pinnatum)." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Mesic to moist stream banks, meadows and heath in the montane and subalpine zones; infrequent throughout BC; N to AK, YT and NT and S to CO, AZ and CA." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
Synonyms
References
Subtaxa Present in B.C.
"Habitat / Range Moist to wet vernal pools and ephemeral seepages in the lowland and montane zones; rare in S and EC BC; circumpolar, E to SK, disjunct E to ON, PQ and NF and S to MA, NH, NC, MS, IA, SD, CO, UT, NV and CA; Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
Synonyms
References
"Habitat / 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." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native. [E-flora]
"Botrychium virginianum is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in). It is in leaf 12-Jan.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." [PFAF]
"General: Deciduous perennial, (5) 10-40 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
Hazards
"Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[200]. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[172]." [PFAF]
Edible Uses
"This large succulent fern is boiled and eaten in the Himalayas[2]. The report does not say which part of the plant is used, though it is probably the root[K]." [PFAF]
Medicinal Uses
Potawatomi language this plant was called “kajidji'bîkûkûk” [zigzag root]. While everyone seemed to know this root and have a name for it, the writer was unable to find its application in medicines, except in combinations. The root was considered a medicine by all of them. Among the whites,195 the leaves have been valued for their astringent and vulnerary properties.[HuronSmith Zuni]
Propagation
"Spores - best surface sown as soon as they are ripe in a greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. Placing the pot in a plastic bag helps to maintain a humid atmosphere which promotes germination and growth. Prick out small clumps into pots when they are large enough to handle and keep moist until established. Grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter and plant out in late spring. Division. It is best not to try and disturb this plant[200]." [PFAF]
Cultivation
"Prefers a sandy loam with just a small portion of peat[1]. Requires sharp drainage[1]. Best grown in an open position[1]. Plants can be difficult to establish. The prothalli (young plants formed when the spores germinate) of this plant form a symbiotic relationship with a mycorrhizal fungus, similar to the association of orchid seedlings with an invading fungus[200]. Unlike most species of ferns, the fronds of this species grow up straight and not curled inward, crozier fashion[4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]." [PFAF]
Synonyms
Botrypus virginianus [ThePlantList.org] - Confidence 2/3, Feb 6, 2014.