Sceptridium multifidum is a fern species in the Ophioglossaceae[1][2] (Adder's tongue family), known by the common names leathery grapefern[3] and leathery moonwort.
| Sceptridium multifidum | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Division: | Polypodiophyta |
| Class: | Polypodiopsida |
| Order: | Ophioglossales |
| Family: | Ophioglossaceae |
| Genus: | Sceptridium |
| Species: | S. multifidum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Sceptridium multifidum | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Botrychium multifidum | |
Distribution
editIt is native to Europe, Asia, and North America including Greenland,[4] where it is widespread and grows in moist areas in many habitat types.
Description
editThis is a fleshy, leathery plant growing from a small caudex with thin, corky roots. Unlike most ferns, S. multifidum has contractile roots, which are thought to help anchor the plant in the soil.[5] It produces a single leaf which emerges directly from the ground. It is divided into a sterile and a fertile part. The sterile part of the leaf is wide and has rounded or oval-shaped leaflets. The fertile part of the leaf is very different in shape, with grape-like clusters of sporangia by which it reproduces. The gametophytes develop from these spores in the soil, and are thought to associate with an endophytic fungus like the gametophytes of other members of this genus.[6] While the gametophytes have not been observed in nature, they have been grown under lab conditions.[6]
Rarity
editThis species is rare in Europe[citation needed]. In Ukraine, there have been 86 recorded localities.[7] In Greenland this species is considered Vulnerable.[8] In the Pacific Northwest of the USA, Botrychium multifidum grows in sphagnum bogs along the coast, in meadows, and along the margins of mountain lakes and streams. But it is uncommon. [9]
References
edit- ^ Botrychium Tropicos.org. Missouri Botanical Garden. 16 January 2012
- ^ Christenhusz, Maarten J. M.; Zhang, Xian-Chun; Schneider, Harald (2011). "A linear sequence of extant families and genera of lycophytes and ferns" (PDF). Phytotaxa. 19: 7–54. doi:10.11646/phytotaxa.19.1.2.
- ^ NRCS. "Botrychium multifidum". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 17 January 2012.
- ^ Grønlands flora. Tyge Wittrock Böcher (3. reviderede udgave ed.). København: P. Haase & Sons. 1978. ISBN 87-559-0385-1. OCLC 183098604.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ Stevenson, Dennis WM. (1975). "Taxonomic and Morphological Observations on Botrychium multifidum (Ophioglossaceae)". Madroño. 23 (4): 198–204. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- ^ a b Gifford, Jr., Ernest M.; Brandon, Dorothy D. (1978). "Gametophytes of Botrychium multifidum as Grown in Axenic Culture". American Fern Journal. 68 (3): 71–75. doi:10.2307/1546452. JSTOR 1546452. Retrieved 7 January 2019.
- ^ Ivan Parnikoza, Zbigniew Celka. "Archive of findings of representatives of Ophioglossaceae in Ukraine". Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ^ Boertmann, David; Bay, Christian (2018). Grønlands Rødliste 2018 – Fortegnelse over grønlandske dyr og planters trusselstatus. Aarhus Universitet, Nationalt Center for Energi og Miljø (DCE) og Grønlands Naturinstitut.
- ^ Gilkey, Helen M.; Dennis, La Rea J (2001). Handbook of Northwestern Plants (3rd ed.). Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press. p. 19. ISBN 0-87071-490-2.
External links
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