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- Winter bronzing
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- Fertile frond
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- New foliage
Scientific Name:
Botrychium biternatum
Common Name:
Southern grape fern
Scientific Name Pronounciation:
(boh-TRY-kee-ee-um by-TER-nat-um)
Plant Type:
Fern
Plant Hardiness Zones:
4-9
Plant Hardiness Zone(s):
Usual Size:
6-12 in. H
Flower:
None
Bloom Time Notes:
None
Leaf:
Single, triangular, leathery frond; triangular frond segmented in three's (biternatum means, "twice divided in three's"); the fertile and sterile fronds are joined near the rhizome at or near ground level.
Fruit:
Spore casings are loose sporangia clusters that are large and round, looking like grapes, growing on a separate stalk.
Wildlife:
Natural Habitat:
Bottoms, ravines, mesic woods and thickets in various pH with fairly rich soil.
Propagation:
Spores
Bloom Time:
Sun or Shade:
Companion Plants:
Cultural Notes:
Southern grape fern sends up new frond in fall which then dies back in spring. Rattlesnake fern (Botrychium virginianum), which looks similar, comes up in spring and dies back in winter; its fertile frond is attached at the base of the sterile blade high above ground level.
It turns a bronze color after frost unless covered by leaves.