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bladderfern
Scientific Name: Cystopteris
Family: Dryopteridaceae
Category: Fern
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Brittle Bladder Fern (Cystopteris fragilis)
The Cystopteris fragilis, commonly known as Brittle Bladder Fern or Common Fragile Fern, is a delicate and adaptable fern found worldwide.
Considerations for Pets
- While the text indicates no known toxicity reports for this species, it's always prudent to prevent pets from ingesting any plant material.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cystopteris fragilis
- Common Names: Brittle Bladder Fern, Common Fragile Fern, Brittle Fern, Bladder Fern, Northern Fragile Fern
- Family: Cystopteridaceae (although Dryopteridaceae and Athyriaceae (Ladyfern Family) are also mentioned in relation to other Cystopteris species)
- Genus: Cystopteris
- Synonyms:
- Polypodium fragile
- Related Species:
- Cystopteris bulbifera (Bulblet Bladderfern)
- Cystopteris dickieana (Dickie's Bladder Fern) - also listed as C. fragilis var. dickieana and C. fragilis subsp. dickieana
- Cystopteris protrusa (Lowland Bladderfern)
- Cystopteris laurentiana (Laurentian Bladder Fern)
- Cystopteris regia (Royal Bladder Fern)
- Cystopteris montana (Mountain Bladder Fern)
- Cystopteris dentata
- Cystopteris diaphana (Diaphanous Bladder Fern)
Distribution and Habitat
- Found in temperate areas worldwide.
- Generally grows in shady and rocky areas, often on limestone rocks and walls.
- Specific locations mentioned include:
- Ireland
- Northeastern Oregon and Southeastern Washington (Blue Mountains, Malheur or Umatilla National Forests)
- Lake Lyndon area
- Orange County, California
- Iceland
- Washington Co., Maryland
- Caswell Co., NC
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Small fern with graceful lanceolate leaves.
- Perennial fern that often grows from cracks in rocks.
- Long-stalked with glabrous leaves.
- Second lowest leaf segment is often the longest.
- Distance between leaf segments is a key identifying feature.
- Mountain Bladder Fern has delicate fronds arising singly from dark, cord-like, creeping rhizomes. The black, sparsely scaly petioles, 6-30 cm long, are longer.
Quirky Facts
- The name "Cystopteris" comes from the bladder-shaped spore cases.
Further Information
- Dave's Garden: A community sharing tips and ideas for gardens, seeds, and plants.
- Plant Delights Nursery: An award-winning mail order perennial plant provider.
- Discover Life: Provides information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Cystopteris.
- California Academy of Sciences.