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Spatulate Moonwort (Botrychium spathulatum)

Botrychium spathulatum, commonly known as spatulate moonwort, is a small fern species belonging to the genus Botrychium. Other common names include spoonleaf moonwort, spoon-leaved moonwort, and spatulate botrychium. It's important to note the subtle variation in common names, like spoonleaf versus spoon-leaved.

Considerations for Pets and Children

• This is a small fern, typically only 10-20 cm in height. Smaller plant parts could pose a choking hazard for small children or pets.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Botrychium spathulatum W.H. Wagner 1990
• Synonym: Eubotrychium (as a subgenus)
• Family: Ophioglossaceae
• Genus: Botrychium
• Subgenus: Botrychium

Morphology and Growth

• A small fern, typically 10-20 cm in height.
• Leaf blade is shiny yellow-green.
• Leaf blade shape is narrowly deltate.
• Pinnately divided, with up to 8 pairs of pinnae.
• Basal pinnae are spatulate to fan-shaped.
• Pinnae may be spatulate to linear-spatulate.
• Pinnae margins are entire or very coarsely lobed.
• Venation is fan-like, lacking a midrib.
• Trophophore stalk is 0-1 mm.

Distribution and Habitat

• The greatest diversity in Botrychium is at high latitudes and high elevations.
• Specific habitat includes thin soils on calcareous terraces.

Related Species

• Similar species include Botrychium lunaria and Botrychium minganense.
• Other Botrychium species mentioned include B. pallidum (pale moonwort), B. boreale (boreal moonwort, northern moonwort, northern grapefern), B. campestre, B. lineare, B. acuminatum, B. simplex, B. pinnatum, B. lanceolatum, B. strictum, and B. x watertonense.

Resources

• Discover Life page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Botrychium spathulatum.
• Botrychium campestre in Flora of North America @ efloras.org
• International Plant Names Index.
• ITIS (Integrated Taxonomic Information System) - TSN 506849