Page:Parsons How to Know the Ferns 7th ed.djvu/108

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GROUP II

FERTILE FRONDS PARTIALLY LEAF-LIKE,
FERTILE PORTION UNLIKE REST OF FROND

Part of sterile portion of B. dissectum

shady woods; that in mossy meadows of New England and Central New York the plant assumes a more contracted habit. He believes its segments are more apt to be divided in shady situations than in open, sunny ground.

The Ternate Grape Fern fruits in the fall.


II. LITTLE GRAPE FERN

Botrychium simplex

Canada to Maryland, in moist woods and in fields. Two to four inches high, rarely a little taller.

Sterile portion.—Somewhat oblong, more or less lobed, occasionally 3—7 divided, usually short-stalked from near the middle of the plant, thick and fleshy.

Fertile portion.—Either simple or once or twice-pinnate, taller than the sterile portion.

This little plant is sufficiently rare to rejoice the heart of the fern hunter who is so fortunate as to

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