Smooth Cliff Brake (Pellaea glabella)

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Pellaea glabella is a fern known for its delicate, finely divided fronds and shiny, dark stalks.

Fronds: The fronds are finely divided, lance-shaped, and have a glossy appearance.

Spores: Spore clusters (sori) are found on the undersides of the fronds.

Habitat: It is commonly found on rocky cliffs and outcrops.

Distribution: Smooth cliff brake fern is native to North America.

Occurrence
Found in large brush island

Bracken Fern – Pteridium aquilinum

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Pteridium aquilinum is a large, deciduous fern known for its triangular fronds and tall, upright growth.

Leaves: The fronds are triangular and deeply lobed, resembling the shape of a feather.

Spores: Reproduction occurs through spores produced on the underside of the fronds.

Habitat: It is commonly found in a wide range of habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, and disturbed areas.

Distribution: Bracken fern is found in many parts of the world.

Occurrence
Planted along fern path and on the spring in the back 40 woods.

Fragile Fern – Cystopteris protrusa

Native To State: NO
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Cystopteris protrusa is a delicate fern known for its finely divided fronds and fragile appearance.

Fronds: The fronds are finely divided and appear delicate.

Sori: It produces sori (spore clusters) on the undersides of the fronds.

Habitat: It is commonly found in moist woodlands and rocky slopes.

Distribution: Lowland fragile fern is native to North America.

Occurrence
Found on outcropping on fern walk

Narrow Beach Fern – Hegopteris hexagonoptera

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Hexagonoptera hexagonoptera is a fern known for its fronds that are shaped like a hexagon.

Fronds: The fronds have a distinctive hexagonal shape.

Sori: It produces sori (spore clusters) on the undersides of the fronds.

Habitat: It is commonly found in moist woodlands.

Distribution: Hexagonoptera fern is native to North America.

Occurrence
Found along fern walk

Maidenhair Fern – Adiantum pedatum

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Adiantum pedatum is a delicate fern known for its fan-shaped fronds and wiry, black stems.

Fronds: The fronds are fan-shaped and composed of numerous small leaflets.

Sori: It produces sori (spore clusters) on the undersides of the fronds.

Habitat: It is commonly found in moist, shaded woodlands.

Distribution: Maidenhair fern is native to North America.

Occurrence
Found near the crick and along the fern walk

Common Polypody – Polypodium virginianum

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Polypodium virginianum is a fern known for its evergreen fronds with spore clusters on the undersides.

Fronds: The fronds are evergreen and pinnately divided.

Sori: It produces sori (spore clusters) on the undersides of the fronds.

Habitat: It is commonly found on rocky outcrops and cliffs.

Distribution: Rock polypody is native to North America.

Occurrence
Found in the rock outcropping on the fern walk.

Cinnamon Fern – Osmundastrum cinnamomeum

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Osmundastrum cinnamomeum is a large fern known for its upright, fertile fronds and distinctive cinnamon-colored spore-bearing structures.

Fronds: It has two types of fronds – sterile, green fronds and fertile, cinnamon-colored fronds.

Sori: The cinnamon-colored structures are fertile fronds bearing spores.

Habitat: It is commonly found in wetlands and along streams.

Distribution: Cinnamon fern is native to North America.

Occurrence
Several specimens found along fern walk as well as near creek and in the back 40 spring area.

Braun’s Holly Fern – Polystichum braunii

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: NO

Description

Appearance: Polystichum braunii is a fern known for its evergreen fronds with spore clusters on the undersides.

Fronds: The fronds are evergreen, lance-shaped, and pinnately divided.

Sori: It produces sori (spore clusters) on the undersides of the fronds.

Habitat: It is commonly found in moist woodlands.

Distribution: Braun’s holly fern is native to North America.

Occurrence
Several specimens found along fern walk

Northern Marsh Fern – Thelypteris palustris

Native To State: YES
Naturally Occurring: YES

Description

Appearance: Thelypteris palustris is a fern known for its delicate fronds and pinnately divided leaves.

Fronds: The fronds are delicate, pinnately divided, and taper toward the tip.

Sori: It produces sori (spore clusters) on the undersides of the fronds.

Habitat: It is commonly found in wetlands, marshes, and along stream banks.

Distribution: Marsh fern is native to North America.

Occurrence
Found along the edge of the old beaver pond marsh and the former pasture woods.