Unusual Fern(?) Found in My Woods

13 years ago

I'm pretty good at IDing most things, but I couldn't find this fern (or fern ally?) in any of my fern ID guides. I tried an online "Ferns of Wisconsin ID Key", but the second question it wants is about the sori. There are no visible sori on any of the leaves that I inspected.

Here's a couple photos, top and under-sides of these small unusual ferns(?). Maybe somebody knows what they are.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4927304333_bd302eca27_b.jpg

Top view, a quarter-coin placed for size reference. One of the better representative older leaves in the far lower right showing its fully tri-lobed shape and wavy margins (upside-down in this photo orientation).

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4927304321_91fa6aece3_b.jpg

Underside View. The leaves (and stipe) are very thin, very supple, very delicate.

Each leaf is individual on its own stipe. The stipes are about 5cm to 8cm in length and become reddish brown on the older leaves. No signs of any fruiting stalks nor sori.

I thought maybe in the Grape-Fern family. But it has more of the characteristics of a Spleenwort (maybe).

Any ideas?

Ever since I found one of the rarest insects in N. America on my land (confirmed through specialists, it's not been seen alive since 1908, the only specimens lost in a NY museum in the 1940's), I've now gotten curious if there are any other extremely rare lifeforms living here. So when I spot something I've not seen in any of my ID books I have to rely on those online.

On further checking, it seems like it is one of the Gymnocarpium or Adiantum genus. But to tell the truth, I have no idea. None of them fit very well.

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Comments (5)

carol23_gw
13 years ago
I think they look like seedlings of Sensitive fern, Onoclea sensibilis.

Here is a link that might be useful:
Iris GW
13 years ago
I agree with Carol, they look like young sensitive fern plants. You might want to flag the spot and keep an eye on them as they grow more/mature.
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adawson
Original Author
13 years ago
I think you may be right! Using google's image search I found a couple more that are somewhat similar. So many different species transplant themselves here that it's hard to keep up with new ones that crop up (pun intended). Sometimes plants (and insects) show up that are many zones out of their range too. Making IDing by range-maps even difficult. (Those rare insects for example, last seen in only LA, GA, & SC.) But that Sensitive Fern is clearly in my area on the maps (MN). I've just never run across it before on my land.

[A unique location on the border of WI and MN in N. America, where the northern coniferous, eastern deciduous, and western plains biomes all overlap in a small 30-60 mile dia. area. I can never tell what might show up next year. It's like a rich species-melting-pot. Over 50 species of trees self-planted within 100 yards of my house. A nature cataloger's dream ... or nightmare.]

BTW: I put a 4" mesh cage around where I found them, to keep an eye out on what they may or may not develop into. They were right near a stand of wild "Northern Maidenhair" ferns (only found two clumps of those in my woods).

Anyway, thanks for the lead! I'll keep my eye out on them. Can never have too many species. Can one? :-)
Iris GW
13 years ago
Can never have too many species. Can one? :-)

Only if it's mosquitos!

What a wonderful place - it must keep you hopping.
adawson
Original Author
13 years ago
re: Skeeters. Ooops, forgot about those (more like, trying to put that summer nightmare out of my mind). I keep a UV light bug-zapper near my computer INDOORS just to catch the ones that get through the door. Sometimes so thick here that I have to wear a skeeter-mesh hat just to breathe outside. Skeeters, ticks, and leaches. Anything that wants my blood gets zero empathy or sympathy.

re: Wonderful place. Yes, it is. Underrated by those that don't have an avid interest in the natural world. (I.e. local farmers that just want to destroy everything.) Between having the largest seasonal weather shifts of any location on N. America (furthest spot from any oceans to temper the seasonal and day-to-day weather changes, the saying "If you don't like the weather, wait a few minutes and it will change." I believe originated in MN), and this tiny convergence spot of 3 major continental biomes ... I sometimes don't miss traveling to seek "change". I just open my door each day and it's a different world outside in my yard and woods. No two springs, summers, falls, nor winters alike. If it weren't for the net and the ID-ing resources available now, and the helpful people like you and carol23, I'd never be able to afford all the extensive books it would take to ID the stuff here. With my lifelong interests in the natural sciences I guess I landed in a good spot, but didn't realize it at the time.

Unusual Fern(?) Found in My Woods

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Unusual Fern(?) Found in My Woods

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