How to Know the Ferns (7th ed)/Chapter 7

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How to Know the Ferns, 7th ed.
by Frances Theodora Parsons
Guide
1875209How to Know the Ferns, 7th ed. — GuideFrances Theodora Parsons

GUIDE


For the purpose of identification the ferns described are arranged in six groups, according to their manner of fruiting.


GROUP I

STERILE AND FERTILE FRONDS TOTALLY UNLIKE; FERTILE FRONDS NOT LEAF-LIKE IN APPEARANCE

1. SENSITIVE FERN

Onoclea sensibilis

Sterile fronds usually large; broadly triangular, deeply pinnatifid. Fertile fronds much contracted, with berry-like pinnules. In wet meadows. P. 54.


2. OSTRICH FERN

Onoclea Struthiopteris

Large. Sterile fronds once-pinnate, pinnæ pinnatifid. Fertile fronds contracted, with necklace-like pinnæ. Along streams and in moist woods. P. 56.


3. CINNAMON FERN

Osmunda cinnamomea

Large. Sterile fronds once-pinnate, pinnæ pinnatifid. Fertile fronds composed of cinnamon-brown fruit-clusters. In wet places. P. 60.


4. CURLY GRASS

Schizæa pusilla

Very small. Sterile fronds linear, grass-like. Fertile fronds taller, with a terminal fruit-cluster. In pine barrens of New Jersey. P. 63.

GROUP II

FERTILE FRONDS PARTIALLY LEAF-LIKE, THE FERTILE PORTION UNLIKE THE REST OF THE FROND

[The species coming under the genera Botrychium and Ophioglossum may appear to belong to Group I, as the fertile and the sterile portions of their fronds may seem to the uninitiated like separate fronds, but in reality they belong to the one frond.]

5. ROYAL FERN

Osmunda regalis

Large. Sterile fronds twice-pinnate, pinnules oblong. Fertile fronds leaf-like below, sporangia in clusters at their summits. In wet places. P. 67.


6. INTERRUPTED FERN

Osmunda Claytoniana

Large. Sterile fronds once-pinnate, pinnæ pinnatifid. Fertile fronds leaf-like above and below, contracted in the middle with brown fruit-clusters. In wet places. P. 72.


7. CLIMBING FERN

Lygodium palmatum

Climbing, with lobed, palmate pinnæ and terminal fruit-clusters. Moist thickets and open woods. Rare. P. 75.


8. ADDER'S TONGUE

Ophioglossum vulgatum

Small. Sterile portion an ovate leaf. Fertile portion a slender spike. In moist meadows. P. 77.


9. RATTLESNAKE FERN

Botrychium Virginianum

Rather large. Sterile portion a thin, spreading, ternately divided leaf with three primary divisions; 1–2 pinnate. Fertile portion a branching fruit-cluster. In rich woods. P. 80.

10. TERNATE GRAPE FERN

Botrychium ternatum or dissectum

Of varying size, very fleshy. Sterile portion a broadly triangular, ternate, finely dissected leaf, long-stalked from near the base of the stem. Fertile portion a branching fruit-cluster. In moist meadows. P. 81.


11. LITTLE GRAPE FERN

Botrychium simplex

A very small fleshy plant. Sterile portion an oblong leaf more or less lobed. Fertile portion a simple or slightly branching spike. In moist woods and in fields. P. 82.


12. MOONWORT

Botrychium Lunaria

Usually small, very fleshy. Sterile portion divided into several fan-shaped lobes. Fertile portion a branching fruit-cluster. Mostly in fields. P. 84.


13. MATRICARY GRAPE FERN

Botrychium matricariæfolium

Small, more or less fleshy. Sterile portion ovate or oblong, once or twice pinnatifid. Fertile portion a branching fruit-cluster. In grassy woods and wet meadows. P. 86.


14. LANCE-LEAVED GRAPE FERN

Botrychium lanceolatum

Small, scarcely fleshy. Sterile portion triangular, twice-pinnatifid. Fertile portion a branching fruit-cluster. In woods and meadows. P. 86.

GROUP III

FERTILE FRONDS UNIFORMLY SOMEWHAT LEAF-LIKE IN APPEARANCE, YET DIFFERING NOTICEABLY FROM STERILE FRONDS

15. SLENDER CLIFF BRAKE

Pellæa gracilis

A small fern, 1-3 pinnate. Very delicate. Fertile fronds taller, more contracted and simpler than the sterile, sporangia bordering the pinnæ. Usually on sheltered rocks, preferring limestone. P. 87.


16. PURPLE CLIFF BRAKE

Pellæa atropurpurea

Medium sized, 1—2 pinnate, leathery. Fertile fronds taller and more contracted than the sterile, sporangia bordering the pinnæ. Usually on exposed rocks, preferring limestone. P. 90.


17. CHRISTMAS FERN

Aspidium acrostichoides

Rather large, smooth and glossy, once-pinnate. Fertile fronds contracted at the summit where the fruit appears. In rocky woods. P. 96.


18. NARROW-LEAVED SPLEENWORT

Asplenium angustifolium

Tall and delicate, once-pinnate. Fertile fronds taller and narrower than the sterile. In moist woods in late summer. P. 98.


19. NET-VEINED CHAIN FERN

Woodwardia angustifolia

Large, fronds deeply pinnatifid, the fertile taller and more contracted than the sterile. In wet woods near the coast. P. 102.

GROUP IV

FERTILE AND STERILE FRONDS LEAF-LIKE AND SIMILAR; SPORANGIA ON OR BENEATH A REFLEXED PORTION OF THE MARGIN

[The first clause bars out P. gracilis and P. atropurpurea, which otherwise would belong to Group IV as well as to Group III.]

20. BRAKE

Pteris aquilina

Large and coarse, frond 3-branched, spreading, each branch 2-pinnate, sporangia in a continuous line beneath the reflexed margin of the frond. In dry, somewhat open places. P. 105.


21. MAIDENHAIR

Adiantum pedatum

Graceful and delicate, frond forked at the summit of the stem, 2-pinnate, the pinnæ springing from the upper sides of the branches, pinnules one-sided, their upper margins lobed, bearing on their undersides the short fruit-dots. In rich woods. P. 108.


22. HAIRY LIP FERN

Cheilanthes vestita

Rather small, fronds 2-pinnate, hairy, fruit-dots "covered by the infolded ends of the rounded or oblong lobes." On rocks. P. 112.


23. HAY-SCENTED FERN

Dicksonia pilosiuscula

Rather large, pale, delicate and sweet-scented, fronds usually 2-pinnate, fruit-dots small, each on a recurved toothlet of the pinnule, borne on an elevated, globular receptacle. In moist thickets and in upland pastures. P. 114.

GROUP V

FERTILE AND STERILE FRONDS LEAF-LIKE AND SIMILAR; SPORANGIA IN LINEAR OR OBLONG FRUIT DOTS

24. LADY FERN

Asplenium Filix-fœmina

Rather large, fronds 2-pinnate, fruit-dots curved, often horseshoe shaped, finally confluent. In moist woods and along roadsides. P. 120.


25. SILVERY SPLEENWORT

Asplenium thelypteroides

Large, fronds once-pinnate, pinnæ deeply pinnatifid, lobes oblong and obtuse, fruit-dots oblong, silvery when young. In rich woods. P. 124.


26. RUE SPLEENWORT

Asplenium Ruta-muraria

Very small, fronds loosely 2–3 pinnate at base, pinnatifid above, fruit-dots linear-oblong, confluent when mature. On limestone cliffs. Rare. P. 126.


27. MOUNTAIN SPLEENWORT

Asplenium montanum

Small, fronds 1–2 pinnate, fruit-dots linear-oblong, often confluent. On rocks. P. 130.


28. EBONY SPLEENWORT

Asplenium ebeneum

Fronds slender and erect, once-pinnate, pinnæ eared on the upper or on both sides, stalk and rachis blackish and shining, fruit-dots oblong. On rocks and hill-sides. P. 134.

29. MAIDENHAIR SPLEENWORT

Asplenium Trichomanes

Small, fronds once-pinnate, pinnæ roundish, stalk and rachis purplish-brown and shining, fruit-dots short. In crevices of rocks. P. 136.


30. GREEN SPLEENWORT

Asplenium viride

Small, fronds linear, once-pinnate, brownish stalk passing into a green rachis. On shaded cliffs northward. P. 138.


31. SCOTT'S SPLEENWORT

Asplenium ebenoides

Small, fronds pinnate below, pinnatifid above, apex slender and prolonged, stalk and rachis blackish, fruit-dots straight or slightly curved. On limestone. Very rare. P. 140.


32. PINNATIFID SPLEENWORT

Asplenium pinnatifidum

Small, fronds pinnatifid, or the lower part pinnate, tapering above into a slender prolongation, stalk blackish, passing into a green rachis, fruit-dots straight or slightly curved. On rocks. Rare. P. 142.


33. BRADLEY'S SPLEENWORT

Asplenium Bradleyi

Small, once-pinnate, pinnæ lobed or toothed, stalk and rachis chestnut-brown, fruit-dots short. On rocks, preferring limestone. Very rare. P. 144.

34. WALKING FERN

Camptosorus rhizophyllus

Small, fronds undivided, heart-shaped at the base or sometimes with prolonged basal ears, tapering above to a prolonged point which roots, forming a new plant, fruit-dots oblong or linear, irregularly scattered. On shaded rocks, preferring limestone. P. 146.

35. HART'S TONGUE

Scolopendrium vulgare

Fronds a few inches to nearly two feet long, undivided, oblong-lanceolate, heart-shaped at base, fruit-dots linear, elongated. Growing among the fragments of limestone cliffs. Very rare. P. 150.


36. VIRGINIA CHAIN FERN

Woodwardia Virginica

Large, fronds once-pinnate, pinnæ pinnatifid, fruit-dots oblong, in chain-like rows parallel and near to the midrib, confluent when ripe. In swamps. P. 156.

GROUP VI

FERTILE AND STERILE FRONDS LEAF-LIKE AND USUALLY SIMILAR, FRUIT-DOTS ROUND

37. NEW YORK FERN

Aspidium Noveboracense

Usually rather tall, fronds once-pinnate, with deeply pinnatifid pinnæ, tapering both ways from the middle, margins of fertile fronds not revolute. In woods and open meadows. P. 159.


38. MARSH FERN

Aspidium Thelypteris

Usually rather tall, fronds once-pinnate, with pinnæ deeply pinnatifid, scarcely narrower at the base than at the middle, veins forked, fertile fronds noticeable from their strongly revolute margins. In wet woods and open swamps. P. 160.


39. MASSACHUSETTS FERN

Aspidium simulatum

Close to preceding species, rather tall, fronds once-pinnate, with pinnatifid pinnæ little or not at all narrowed at base, veins not forked, margin of fertile frond slightly revolute. In wooded swamps. P. 164.

CHRISTMAS FERN

Aspidium acrostichoides

[See No. 17]


40. SPINULOSE WOOD FERN

Aspidium spinulosum var. intermedium

Very common, usually but not always large, fronds oblong-ovate, 2–3 pinnate, lowest pinnæ unequally triangular-ovate, lobes of pinnæ thorny-toothed. In woods everywhere. P. 166.


41. BOOTT'S SHIELD FERN

Aspidium Boottii

From one and a half to more than three feet high. Sterile fronds smaller and simpler than the fertile, nearly or quite twice-pinnate, the lowest pinnæ triangular-ovate, upper longer and narrower, pinnules oblong-ovate, sharply thorny-toothed. In moist woods. P. 168.


42. CRESTED SHIELD FERN

Aspidium cristatum

Usually rather large, fronds linear-oblong or lanceolate, once pinnate with pinnatifid pinnæ, linear-oblong, fruit-dots between midvein and margin. In swamps. P. 170.


43. CLINTON'S WOOD FERN

Aspidium cristatum, var. Clintonianum

In every way larger than preceding species, fronds usually twice-pinnate, pinnæ broadest at base, fruit-dots near the midvein. In swampy woods. P. 172.


44. GOLDIE'S FERN

Aspidium Goldianum

Large, fronds broadly ovate or the fertile ovate-oblong, once-pinnate with pinnatifid pinnæ, pinnæ broadest in the middle, fruit-dots very near the midvein. In rich woods. P. 175.

45. EVERGREEN WOOD FERN

Aspidium marginale

Very common, usually rather large, smooth, somewhat leathery, fronds ovate oblong, 1–2 pinnate, fruit-dots large, distinct, close to the margin. In rocky woods. P. 176.


46. FRAGRANT SHIELD FERN

Aspidium fragrans

Small, fragrant, fronds once-pinnate, with pinnatifid pinnæ, stalk and rachis chaffy, fruit-dots large. On rocks northward, especially near waterfalls. P. 178.


47. BRAUN'S HOLLY FERN

Aspidium aculeatum var. Braunii

Rather large, fronds oblong-lanceolate, twice-pinnate, pinnules sharply toothed, covered with long, soft hairs, fruit-dots small. In deep, rocky woods. P. 182.


48. COMMON POLYPODY

Polypodium vulgare

Usually small, fronds somewhat leathery, narrowly oblong, fruit-dots large, round, uncovered, half-way between midvein and margin. On rocks. P. 184.


HAY-SCENTED FERN

Dicksonia pilosiuscula

[See No. 23]


49. LONG BEECH FERN

Phegopteris polypodioides

Medium-sized, fronds downy, triangular, longer than broad, once-pinnate, pinnæ pinnatifid; lowest pair deflexed and standing forward. In moist woods and on the banks of streams. P. 187.

50. BROAD BEECH FERN

Phegopteris hexagonoptera

Larger than the preceding species, fronds triangular, as broad or broader than long, once-pinnate, pinnæ pinnatifid, lowest pair very large, basal segments of pinnæ forming a continuous, many-angled wing along the rachis. In dry woods and on hill-sides. P. 188.


51. OAK FERN

Phegopteris Dryopteris

Medium-sized, fronds thin and delicate, broadly triangular, spreading, ternate, the three divisions stalked, each division pinnate, pinnæ pinnatifid. In moist woods. P. 190.


52. BULBLET BLADDER FERN

Cystopteris bulbifera

Fronds delicate, elongated, tapering above from a broad base, 2–3 pinnate or pinnatifid, bearing fleshy bulblets beneath. On wet rocks, preferring limestone. P. 194.


53. COMMON BLADDER FERN

Cystopteris fragilis

Medium-sized, fronds thin, oblong-lanceolate, 2–3 pinnate or pinnatifid. On rocks and in moist woods. P. 198.


54. RUSTY WOODSIA

Woodsia Ilvensis

Small, more or less covered with rusty hairs, fronds lanceolate, once-pinnate, pinnæ pinnatifid. On exposed rocks. P. 200.


55. BLUNT-LOBED WOODSIA

Woodsia obtusa

Small, slightly downy, fronds broadly lanceolate, nearly twice-pinnate. On rocks. P. 202.

56. NORTHERN WOODSIA

Woodsia hyperborea

Very small, smooth or nearly so, fronds narrowly oblong-lanceolate, once-pinnate, pinnæ cordate-ovate or triangular-ovate, 5–7 lobed. On moist rocks. P. 203.


57. SMOOTH WOODSIA

Woodsia glabella

Very small, smooth throughout and delicate, fronds linear, once-pinnate, pinnæ roundish ovate, lobed. On moist rocks. P. 206.