Little grapefern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little grapefern |
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| 1913 botanical illustration. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Botrychium
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| Species: |
simplex
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| Synonyms | |
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Botrychium tenebrosum |
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The Botrychium simplex, also known as the little grapefern, is a small type of fern. It belongs to a plant family called Ophioglossaceae. This special fern grows naturally in North America.
Unlike some plants that live for only one year, the little grapefern is a perennial. This means it lives for many years, growing back each spring.
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About the Little Grapefern
The little grapefern is quite small, often hard to spot in nature. It gets its name "grapefern" because its spore-producing parts can look a bit like tiny bunches of grapes. These spores are how the fern reproduces and spreads.
It usually grows in damp, open areas. You might find it in meadows, bogs, or along the edges of forests. This fern needs specific conditions to thrive, which makes it sensitive to changes in its environment.
Is the Little Grapefern in Danger?
Sadly, the little grapefern is quite rare in many places. Its numbers are shrinking, which means it needs protection. Different areas have different ways of describing how much danger a plant is in.
In the United States
Many states in the United States are worried about the little grapefern:
- In Connecticut, it is a "special concern" species. This means experts are watching it closely because it might be at risk. It is even thought to be "extirpated" there, meaning it has disappeared from Connecticut, though it still exists elsewhere.
- It is "endangered" in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. An endangered species has very few plants left and is at high risk of disappearing forever.
- In Maryland, it is listed as both endangered and extirpated.
- Iowa lists it as "threatened." A threatened species is likely to become endangered soon if nothing changes.
- In New York, it is "exploitably vulnerable." This means people might collect too much of it, which puts the plant at risk.
- Rhode Island also considers it a "special concern" species.
- And in Washington (state), it is a "sensitive" species, meaning it needs careful management to protect it.
In Europe
The little grapefern is even rarer in most European countries. For example, in Ukraine, it is known to grow in only one single location. This shows how precious and uncommon this fern is around the world. Protecting its habitats is very important to help it survive.
