Putting on its version of a flowering show now, is our native rattlesnake fern, Botrypus virginianus. This widespread fern is native to all continental states except New Mexico. Not to be confined to a single country, it’s also native throughout South American, Central Europe, and throughout Asia.
The rattlesnake fern has has dimorphic fronds, where the solitary sterile frond looks like a typical fern frond, while the 1.5′ tall fertile frond, which contains the spores, does not. Unlike typical fern spores, these are considered impossible to artificially germinate, since they can take up to 10 years and have very particular requirements. First of all, the spores germinate underground, growing without foliage, where they are fed by mycorhizal fungi. Next they produce eggs and sperm, which are eventually united in the dark underworld. The next step is the production of a small sporophyte (plant), which eventually decides to peak its heads above the soil. We were quite surprised this spring, to find our very first sporelings germinating in two different sections of the garden.
I always enjoy finding these when out hiking. Thank you for the insights into their reproductive strategy!