Plant · GBIF taxon 7851429
rattlesnake fern
Botrypus virginianusAlso known as Virginia Grape Fern, Rattlesnake Grapefern
Rattlesnake fern produces a single compound frond divided into a delicate, lace-like sterile blade and an erect, stalked fertile spike laden with bright yellow spore sacs. Deeply reliant on underground mycorrhizal fungi, this delicate perennial emerges each spring in rich, undisturbed forest soils across North America and parts of Eurasia. Its common name stems from both the rattle-like appearance of its ripe sporangia and its shared preference for damp, snake-friendly woods.
FernShade TolerantUnderstory
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Soil Nutrients
- Mycorrhizal Fungi
- Sunlight
Predators
- White-tailed Deer
- Slugs
- Insect Larvae
ThreatsDeforestation, invasive plant species, overbrowsing
HabitatsRich moist woods, hardwood forests, shaded ravines
Life spanPerennial (20+ years)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderOphioglossales
- FamilyOphioglossaceae
- GenusBotrypus
- SpeciesBotrypus virginianus
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
- Identification: Look for a single triangular, thrice-divided frond with a separate erect spore stalk branching from the stem.
- Observation: Avoid trampling delicate forest duff around plants to protect fragile underground rhizomes and fungal networks.
- Seasonal Timing: Search moist hardwood hollows in early to mid-summer when spore clusters mature to a warm yellow.
Frequent Companion Doug McGrady from Warwick, RI, USA / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Frequent Companion (c) mrdace, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by mrdace · cc-by
Close Relative Family Member
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