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Sceptridium multifidum
Sceptridium multifidum (Leathery Grapefern) growing under the partial shade of White Spruce (Picea glauca), Balsam Fir (Abies balsamnea), Quaking Aspen (Populus tremuloides), and Balsam Poplar (Populus balsamifera).
These ferns can live a long time. Svenson (1978) estimated the age of specimens he collected by counting the leaf scars on the short subterranean stem from which the leaves grow. Since Sceptridium multifidum produces at most two leaves a year but more often just one he came up with ages approaching or passing the century mark. That's a long time for a non-clonal herbaceous plant to live. (Svenson, D.W. 1975. Taxonomic and morphological observations on Botrychium multifidum (Ophioglossacaea). Madrono 23: 198-204.)
''Sceptridium multifidum'' is a fern species in the Ophioglossaceae, known by the common names leathery grapefern and leathery moonwort. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North America, where it is widespread and grows in moist areas in many habitat types. This 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. It produces a single leaf which emerges directly.. more
comments (4)
Just something to keep in mind as Wikipedia sometimes is not consistent in using the correct taxons across different species articles.
This one is fine though, just something you may want to know. Posted 6 years ago