Texas Wildbuds
Botrychium biternatum
(Sparse-lobed Grapefern)
Botrychium biternatum, Big Thicket, Polk Co. 07991
Botrychium biternatum, Big Thicket, Polk Co. 08004
Botrychium biternatum, Big Thicket, Polk Co. 07989
| Scientific Name | Botrychium biternatum (Sceptridium biternatum) | USDA PLANTS Symbol | BOBI |
| Common Name | Sparse-lobed Grapefern, Southern Grapefern | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 17175 |
| Family | Ophioglossaceae (Adder's Tongue) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Moist soils in bottomland forests and in ravines in drier forests. Plant: Short, erect perennial, evergreen fern 4 to 14 inches tall; single leaf in two parts arising from the ground with what appear as two separate stalks, a leaf-like portion (trophophore) and a fertile portion (sporophore). Trophophore: Triangular in outline and two or three times divided into pinnae ("leaflets") that are green to dark green, lanceolate, with serrate margins, turning reddish brown in fall. Sporophore: The fertile (spore-bearing) portion of the leaf splits away at the lower third of the shared stalk; at the top of its erect stalk, it has a two or three times pinnately-compound clusters of rounded, yellowish spore-bearing structures resembling tiny grapes. Bloom Period: Spores are released August–November. References: Ferns of Texas, Alabama Plant Atlas, Flora of North America and Sceptridium biternatum in iNaturalist. |
BONAP Distribution Map Sceptridium biternatumMap Color Key |
Texas Status: Native |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2025