Asplenium rhizophyllum - (image 1 of 4)
Taxonomy
Family: Aspleniaceae
Habitat
Shaded places on moss-covered limestone cliffs, rocks and boulders. Usually north facing slopes or edges/crevices. Occasionally on the ground.
Associates
Aquilegia canadensis, Arabis laevigata, Aralia nudiculais, Aralia racemosa, Aster shortii, Mitella diphylla, Pilea pumila, Prenanthes alba, Sedum ternatum, Solidago flexicaulis.
Distribution
Rare in northeast IL. Fairly common in central NY.
Morphology
Leaves evergreen, somewhat leathery, smooth, heart-shaped at base, very long triangular, tapering to long, fine tip. Viviparous, rooting at leaf tips. Fruitdots scattered.
Notes
Wetland indicator: Upland
Swink and Wilhelm list this species as Camptosorus rhizophyllus (L.) Link, as does Cobb. Called walking fern because it forms new plants at the end of fronds, enabling it to "walk" across the substrate.
Bibliography
Cobb, B. 1984. A Field Guide to Ferns and Their Related Families.
Houghton Mifflin Co., New York, NY
USDA, NRCS. 2002.
The PLANTS Database, Version 3.5 (http://plants.usda.gov).
National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
Swink, F. and G. Wilhelm. 1994. Plants of the Chicago Region.
Indiana Academy of Science. The Morton Arboretum. Lisle, Illinois.
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© Michael Hough 2004 |