Physematium scopulinum

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Physematium scopulinum
Woodsia scopulina.jpg
Status TNC G5.svg
Secure  (NatureServe) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Suborder: Aspleniineae
Family: Woodsiaceae
Genus: Physematium
Species:
P. scopulinum
Binomial name
Physematium scopulinum
Synonyms [2]
  • Woodsia obtusa f. nana (Lemmon ex Gilbert) Clute
  • Woodsia obtusa var. lyallii Hook.
  • Woodsia obtusa var. nana Lemmon ex Gilbert
  • Woodsia oregana var. lyallii (Hook.) B.Boivin
  • Woodsia scopulina D.C.Eaton
  • Woodsia scopulina f. nana (Lemmon) M.Broun
  • Woodsiopsis scopulina (D.C.Eaton) Shmakov

Physematium scopulinum, also called Woodsia scopulina, is a deciduous perennial fern in the family Woodsiaceae, with the common name Rocky Mountain woodsia.

Contents

This plant is native to the western and northern United States and Canada. W. scopulina is a small to medium sized fern, 10-30 centimeters high, which grows in mesic to dry rock crevices. [3] [4]

Description

Physematium scopulinum has twice pinnate fronds arising from a short scaly rhizome. The mostly upright fronds are 10–30 cm in length and up to 8 cm in width and are medium to pale green in color. The pinnae and rachis are sparsely to moderately covered with long hairs that protrude sharply (not appressed to stem), some with a globular gland at the tip. The hairy rachis distinguishes it from the similar species Physematium oreganum . The rachis is grooved on top (adaxially). Small round sori on the underside of pinnae are initially partly covered with a narrowly lobed indusium. New leaves show circinate vernation (tightly curled). [5]

Range

Physematium scopulinum is widespread in mountains near the west coast of North America from southern Alaska to southern California, and in the Rocky Mountains from British Columbia to Colorado. There are also isolated populations in northeastern North America. [5]

Habitat

Physematium scopulinum is commonly found in sunny rocky habitats including rock crevices, talus slopes, and rock ledges. [4]

Related Research Articles

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<i>Myriopteris clevelandii</i> Species of fern in family Pteridaceae

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<i>Myriopteris gracillima</i> Species of fern in family Pteridaceae

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<i>Asplenium montanum</i> Species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae

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<i>Pellaea atropurpurea</i> Species of fern

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<i>Pellaea calidirupium</i> Species of fern

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<i>Polystichum lonchitis</i> Species of fern

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References

  1. NatureServe (November 1, 2024). "Woodsia scopulina". NatureServe Explorer. Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved November 17, 2024.
  2. Hassler, Michael. "Physematium scopulinum". World Ferns. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  3. Dale H. Witt, Janet E. Marsh, and Robin B. Bovey, Mosses Lichens and Ferns of Northwest North America (Edmonton: Lone Pine, 1988), p. 273
  4. 1 2 Burke Herbarium Image Collection, Chaenactis thompsonii
  5. 1 2 Hitchcock, C. Leo; Cronquist, Arthur (2018). Giblin, David; Legler, Ben; Zika, Peter F.; Olmstead, Richard G. (eds.). Flora of the Pacific Northwest (Second ed.). Seattle, Washington: University of Washington Press. p. 60. ISBN   9780295742885. OCLC   1027726040.