Spring Ferning

Moonworts!

Randy and I mark the seasons of the year by the appearance and development of different ferns. Wildflowers and fungi and other plants are interesting as well, but it is the ferns which draw us almost daily into the woods and fields of our area. One of the most exciting times we look forward to is the appearance of the Moonworts. They are uncommon and it is only a few years ago that we first found them in our area. Last year was a poor one for them with the lack of rain, but this year looks like it might be great!

As you can see from the photo, they are delicate fleshy green ferns. Not a typical "fiddlehead" stage. Most of the plants we found last week were less than two inches tall so far, but some will grow to more than 10 inches tall. This one is still developing. We believe the plants we saw last week were Daisy-leaf Moonworts (Botrychium matricariifolium). The genus name comes from the Greek word "botrys" which means "bunch" and refers to the grapelike bunch of sporangia on the sporophore (Cobb, Farnsworth & Lowe, 2005).

This is a pretty common species when you can find them. Moonworts are in the same family (Ophioglossaceae) as Adder's Tongues, Grape Ferns, and Rattlesnake ferns. In the 1948 Guide to Eastern Ferns by Edgar Wherry, the Moonworts were called Grapeferns. All the ferns in this family are beautiful and unusual in appearance. They are believed to be closely associated with mycorrhizal fungi in the soil. Most of the Moonworts we have found are growing along the side of foot paths. So keep your eyes open for them, and watch where you walk in the woods!

Posted: to PV Fern News on Thu, May 15, 2025
Updated: Thu, May 15, 2025