Plant · GBIF taxon 2650818
Fragile Fern
Cystopteris fragilisAlso known as Brittle Bladder-Fern, Common Fragile Fern, Brittle Bladderfern
Fragile ferns thrive in cool, damp crevices, clinging to shady rock faces and mossy banks across nearly every continent. Their delicate fronds emerge early in spring from creeping rhizomes and wither quickly during midsummer dry spells, only to re-sprout when moisture returns. Small, hood-like structures called indusia cover the spore clusters beneath each leaflet, aiding wind dispersal across vast geographic distances.
FernPerennialShade-Loving
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
- Insects
- Slugs
- Small Mammals
ThreatsHabitat destruction, extreme drought, quarrying
HabitatsMoist rocky cliffs, rich woodlands, stream banks, subalpine crevices
Life spanPerennial (rhizome lives for decades)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCystopteridaceae
- SpeciesCystopteris fragilis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Look for delicate, twice-pinnate fronds growing out of damp rocky crevices and shady bluffs.
- Handling: Avoid picking or pulling fronds, as the thin stems break easily.
- Photography: Use macro settings to capture the tiny bladder-like indusia covering the spore clusters beneath fronds.
Frequent Companion (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Close Relative
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.