Sceptridium dissectum forma obliquum

Sceptridium dissectum forma obliquum (the non-skeletonized leaf form) growing at the edge of an old field reverting to forest. The leaf margins on this individual are a little more denticulate than usual.

comments (6)

Christine Young

Lion

Wow, I never would have guessed that this is the same species of fern as:

Posted 6 years ago
1. Gary B
  
  Lion
  
  These are the endpoints on a continuum of forms. There are a lot of intermediates that don't fit well with either forma. Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Christine Young
    
    Lion
    
    It's amazing, isn't it?! Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Gary B
      
      Lion
      
      And confusing! This species sometimes grows with S. rugulosum (which is an uncommon to rare species) and some of the variants look very close to it. Other Sceptridium dissectum can look like S. oneidense which is also a rare fern. Posted 6 years ago
    2. 1. Christine Young
        
        Lion
        
        Is it easy for you, at this point, to tell them apart? Ferns are actually my favorite plants, and yet I know very little about them! Posted 6 years ago
      2. Gary B
        
        Lion
        
        Most of the time it is "easy". To separate S. rugulosum from S. dissectum f. obliquum I look at the edges of the leaf segments. S. dissectum f. obliquum will have numerous fine teeth along the margins and the larger leaf segments are long and trowel-shaped. S. rugulosum also has teeth along the margins but the leaf surface is wrinkled (the veins). S. oneidense typically has smooth leaf margins. But I've come across specimens that don't fit very well with anything so I've got specimens that look like S. rugulosum and S. dissectum f. obliquum and some that look like S. dissectum and S. oneidense and one that looks like S. rugulosum and S. multifidum. Posted 6 years ago

The Sceptridium dissectum

''Sceptridium dissectum'' is a common fern in the family Ophioglossaceae, occurring in eastern North America. Like other plants in this group, it normally only sends up one frond per year. It has long been the subject of confusion because the frond presents in one of two forms, either the normal form that resembles other plants in the genus, or the skeletonized form .

This is the most common grape fern throughout most of its range. It is a frequent denizen of disturbed lands, often growing.. more

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Similar species: Ophioglossales

Species identified by Gary B