Cut-leaved Grape Fern
Sceptridium dissectum
(formerly Botrychium dissectum)

Cut-leaved Grape Fern (Sceptridium dissectum) Other common names: Cut-leaved Moonwort, Dissected Grape Fern, Ternate Grape Fern

Other scientific names: Botrychium dissectum, Botrychium obliquum

French names: Botryche découpé  

Family: Adder's Tongue Family (Ophioglossaceae)

Group: Grape Ferns

Similar species:
  •   Rattlesnake Fern (Botrypus virginianus) - has three leaves (fronds) with the fertile stalk sticking straight up from the junction.
  •   Daisy Leaf Grape Fern (Botrychium matricariifolium)
  •   Leathery Grape Fern (Sceptridium multifidum)

Leaves: Evergreen, Thrice divided

Habitat: Forests

Native/Non-native: Native

Notes: Grape Ferns are difficult to tell apart.

For more information visit: Ontario Ferns

Photographs: 156 photographs available, of which 9 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page
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Cut-leaved Grape Fern (Sceptridium dissectum)

 An entire Cut-leaved Grape Fern plant.

This is a tough fern to ID properly. It closely resembles the other Grape Ferns. The two main differentiators of this species is that the leaf edghes are toothed or dissected, and that new growth appears very late in the season (August or September).

Cut-leaved Grape Fern (Sceptridium dissectum)

 This species comes in two primary forms.

This is f. dissectum, also known as Cut Leaved Grape Fern, in which the leaves have edges that are very toothed.

Cut-leaved Grape Fern (Sceptridium dissectum)

 And this is f. obliquum, also known as Ternate Grape Fern, in which the leaves have somewhat less toothed edges, although they are still toothed.

Cut-leaved Grape Fern (Sceptridium dissectum)

Cut-leaved Grape Fern (Sceptridium dissectum)

 A pair of Cut-leaved Grape Ferns, one very much smaller than the other.

Cut-leaved Grape Fern (Sceptridium dissectum)

 Leaves.

One way to confirm the ID of this difficult-to-ID fern, is that the new growth appears in late August or September! So it is still fresh looking in late September.
This photo was taken on Oct 5!

Cut-leaved Grape Fern (Sceptridium dissectum)

 The fertile frond of Cut-leaved Grape Fern.

Cut-leaved Grape Fern (Sceptridium dissectum)

 Cut-leaved Grape Fern - Sceptridium dissectum f. obliquum

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium,Burlington,Ontario).

Cut-leaved Grape Fern (Sceptridium dissectum)

 Cut-leaved Grape Fern - Sceptridium dissectum f. dissectum

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium,Burlington,Ontario).
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Range map for Cut-leaved Grape Fern (Sceptridium dissectum)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)

 

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