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List of ferns and fern allies of Soldiers Delight facts for kids

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The Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area is a special place in Baltimore County, Maryland, USA. It covers about 1,900 acres (7.7 square kilometers) of land. Much of this area has a unique type of ground called serpentine barren. This soil is very unusual and makes it difficult for most plants to grow. Because of this, Soldiers Delight is home to many rare and endangered plant species.

This article lists some of the amazing plants found here. These include ancient plant groups like clubmosses, spikemosses, horsetails, and ferns. Scientists have studied these plants for many years. The information comes from various publications and research.

Thelipteris noveboracensis ECU
Thelypteris noveboracensis (New York fern)
Onoclea sensibilis (EU)
Onoclea sensibilis (Sensitive fern)
Pteridium aquilinum (EU)
Pteridium aquilinum (Bracken)
Dennstaedtia punctilobula (EU)
Dennstaedtia punctilobula (Hay-scented fern)

Ancient Plants: Clubmosses and Spikemosses

Clubmosses and spikemosses are very old types of plants. They are often called "living fossils" because they look similar to plants that lived millions of years ago. Unlike flowering plants, they reproduce using spores, not seeds. They are usually small and grow close to the ground.

Clubmoss Family (Lycopodiaceae)

These plants often have small, scale-like leaves. They can spread across the ground like a mat or grow upright like tiny trees.

  • Diphasiastrum digitatum - Northern running-pine, Flat-stemmed clubmoss, Ground cedar
  • Diphasiastrum tristachyum - Blue clubmoss, Blue ground-cedar
  • Huperzia lucidula - Shining firmoss, Shining clubmoss
  • Lycopodium clavatum - Stag's-horn clubmoss, Ground pine
  • Lycopodium obscurum - Groundpine, Tree clubmoss

Spikemoss Family (Selaginellaceae)

Spikemosses are similar to clubmosses but are often even smaller. They also reproduce with spores.

  • Selaginella apoda - Meadow spikemoss

Ancient Plants: Horsetails

Horsetails are another ancient group of plants. They have hollow, jointed stems that look a bit like bamboo. Some types were once used for scrubbing pots because of their rough texture. They also reproduce using spores.

Horsetail Family (Equisetaceae)

These plants are unique with their ribbed, often green stems. They can grow in wet areas or open fields.

Amazing Ferns of Soldiers Delight

Ferns are a well-known group of spore-producing plants. They have beautiful fronds (leaves) that often unroll in the spring like a fiddlehead. Soldiers Delight is home to many different kinds of ferns, each with its own unique look.

Spleenwort Family (Aspleniaceae)

Spleenworts are often small ferns that grow on rocks or tree trunks.

Bracken Family (Dennstaediaceae)

This family includes some common and widespread ferns.

Wood Fern Family (Dryopteridaceae)

This is a large family of ferns. Many of them are found in woodlands.

Adder's-tongue Family (Ophioglossaceae)

These ferns have a very different look from typical ferns. They often have a single leaf and a separate stalk that carries the spores.

Royal Fern Family (Osmundaceae)

This family includes some of the largest and most striking ferns.

  • Osmunda cinnamomea - Cinnamon fern
  • Osmunda claytoniana - Interrupted fern
  • Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis - Royal fern

Polypody Family (Polypodiaceae)

These ferns often grow on rocks or tree trunks.

Maidenhair Fern Family (Pteridaceae)

This family is known for its delicate and beautiful ferns.

Marsh Fern Family (Thelypteridaceae)

These ferns often prefer moist or marshy areas.

See also

Soldiers Delight Natural Environmental Area plant lists

Related flora articles

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