Rare Species Guide

  Synonyms

Botrychium rugulosum

  Basis for Listing

Sceptridium rugulosum (Laurentian grape-fern) is a small fern that grows in low and moist habitats in brushy or grassy areas and in forest openings. It is easily confused with two other Sceptridium species and consequently has often been misidentified. When designated a threatened species in 1996, it was known from less than 20 locations in northern Minnesota (Laurentian Mixed Forest Province). Since that time, our understanding of the species’ habitat preferences has evolved, and nearly 50 additional populations have been discovered. Sceptridium rugulosum is now known to be more widely distributed in Minnesota than was formerly believed (Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province), and threatened status is no longer necessary. However, given its vulnerability to habitat alteration and habitat succession, S. rugulosum was retained as a species of special concern in 2013.

  Description

Visually, S. rugulosum resembles S. dissectum (cutleaf grape-fern) and S. multifidum (leathery grape-fern), with which it commonly grows; however, its leaf emerges from the ground in late May, before the former and after the latter. The sterile deltoid-shaped leaf blade averages 4-8 cm (1.6-3.1 in.) long, with the petiole more or less the same length (shorter in sun forms and longer in shade forms). Unlike the rounded lobes of the leaf of S. multifidum, the leaf of S. rugulosum has angular lobes, mostly 2-5 mm (0.08- 0.20 in.) wide, with the edges coarsely and irregularly toothed. The marginal teeth are dentate (wide-based, squarish and outward-pointing), as opposed to the serrate (narrow, sharp, forward pointing and saw-like) teeth of S. dissectum forma obliquum. The leaf of S. rugulosum may maintain its green color, while the leaf of S. dissectum can turn a drab reddish color and then turn bronze-colored in autumn.

  Habitat

Sceptridium rugulosum grows in low and moist habitats in brushy or grassy areas and in open forested areas. It can be found growing in mossy areas in fire-dependent forests of Pinus banksiana (jack pine) or P. resinosa (red pine). Sceptridium rugulosum also occurs in the transition zone between these habitats and adjacent habitats. In most locations, there may be only one or a few individuals occurring with relatively more common species of Sceptridium, especially S. dissectum and S. multifidum, with which it is easily confused.

  Biology / Life History

The leaf of S. rugulosum is semi-evergreen and persists through the winter. When summer approaches, the old leaf deteriorates as the new leaf emerges (USFS 1999). The species epithet “rugulosum” refers to the tendency to become more or less wrinkled and convex (Wagner and Wagner 1993). Another common name for this species is ternate grape-fern.

  Conservation / Management

The preference of S. rugulosum for open habitats and openings within forests suggests that it may be adapted to exploit certain habitats in early successional communities. This could complicate management because the natural dynamics of early successional and rapidly evolving communities are notoriously difficult to mimic with artificial means. These habitats normally rely on a complex interaction of events as varied as insect outbreak, windstorm, fire, and erosion. Very few of the known habitats of S. rugulosum are large enough or “wild” enough to support such ecosystem processes. Immediate threats include development projects, habitat alteration, herbicide, and water level manipulation (USFS 2000). 

  Best Time to Search

The best time to search for S. rugulosum is from early spring, when snow melts and the plants are revealed, to late autumn, before snowfall can cover them. Be aware - Sceptridium species may not emerge every year, especially during drought.

  Conservation Efforts in Minnesota

The design of a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ off-highway-vehicle park near the town of Gilbert was modified to preserve some S. rugulosum habitat.

  References and Additional Information

Chadde, S., and G. Kudray. 2003. Conservation assessment for Ternate Grapefern (Botrychium rugulosum). U.S. Forest Service, Region 9, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Gleason, H. A., and A. Cronquist. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. Second Edition. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York. 910 pp.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2003. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota: the Laurentian mixed forest province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul, Minnesota. 352 pp.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2005. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota: the eastern broadleaf forest province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul, Minnesota. 394 pp.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Ecological Resources. 2008. Rare species guide: an online encyclopedia of Minnesota's rare native plants and animals [Web Application]. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul, Minnesota. Accessed 1 July 2009.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Wildlife. 1995. Statement of need and reasonableness in the matter of proposed amendment of Minnesota Rules, Chapter 6134: endangered and threatened species. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul, Minnesota. 336 pp.

Ownbey, G. B., and T. Morley. 1991. Vascular plants of Minnesota: a checklist and atlas. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. 320 pp.

Smith, W. R. 2023. Ferns and lycophytes of Minnesota: the complete guide to species identification. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. 368 pp.

U.S. Forest Service. 1999. Population viability assessment in forest plan revision. Statement of purpose and reason. Draft species data records: Botrychium rugulosum. United States Forest Service, Region 9.

U.S. Forest Service. 2000. Population viability assessment in forest plan revision. Questions for plant population viability assessment panel: Botrychium rugulosum. United States Forest Service, Region 9, Duluth, Minnesota.

Wagner, W. H., Jr., and F. S. Wagner. 1982. Botrychium rugulosum, (Ophioglossaceae), a newly recognized species of evergreen grapefern in the Great Lakes area of North America (Pteridophyta). Contributions from the University of Michigan Herbarium 15:315-324.

Wagner, W. H., Jr., and F. S. Wagner. 1993. Botrychium. Pages 86-101 in Flora of North America Editorial Committee, editors. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Volume 2. Oxford University Press, New York, New York.