SafePlants

Ternate Grape-Fern

Explore the fascinating world of the Ternate Grape-Fern, a perennial herb with a rich history and diverse distribution.

Scientific Name and Nomenclature

• Accepted Scientific Name: Botrychium rugulosum W.H. Wagner
• Synonyms:
  • Botrychium oneidense (Gilbert) House 1905
  • Sceptridium rugulosum (W.H. Wagner) Skoda &amp Holub 1996
  • Botrychium ternatum Swartz (Note: Some sources indicate B. ternatum auct. non (Thunb.) Sw. is a synonym)
  • Botrychium dissectum
  • Botrychium obliquum
• Family: Ophioglossaceae
• Rank: Species

Common Names

• Ternate Grape-Fern
• Rugulose Grape-Fern
• St. Lawrence Grape-Fern
• Cut-leaved Moonwort
• Dissected Grape Fern
• Yin Di Jue (Chinese name)
• American Ternate Grape Fern
• Broad Grape Fern
• Leather Grape Fern
• Leathery Grape Fern
• Leathery Moonwort

Distribution and Habitat

• The Ternate Grape-Fern is found in various locations, including North America and Japan (Kyoto Aquarium).
• It prefers wet habitats such as swamps, stream banks, and fields.

Morphological Characteristics

• The plant is fleshy and sparsely hairy or nearly smooth.
• It typically grows to a height of twelve to fifteen inches.
• Described as a forb/herb (a non-woody plant that is not a grass).
• Lifeform: winter-green perennial fern

Historical Context

• The Ternate Grape-Fern was featured in Thomas Meehan's "The Native Flowers and Ferns of the United States," published in 1878.
• Illustrations were created using chromolithography.

Ecological Role

• Present in Ontario, along with other rare species such as Hill's Oak, Pignut Hickory, Small Beggarticks, Downy False Foxglove and Wood Vetch.

Quirky Facts

• The Ternate Grape Fern is also known as Yin Di Jue, a name used in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Further Information

• Discover Life: Provides information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Botrychium rugulosum.