Scalloped moonwort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Scalloped moonwort |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Botrychium
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| Species: |
crenulatum
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Botrychium crenulatum, also known as the scalloped moonwort or dainty moonwort, is a very small type of fern. Ferns are ancient plants that don't have flowers or seeds. Instead, they reproduce using tiny spores. This special fern is quite small and often hard to spot!
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About the Scalloped Moonwort
The scalloped moonwort is a unique plant that belongs to a group of ferns called Ophioglossaceae. These ferns are known for their interesting way of growing and reproducing.
Where Does It Live?
This dainty fern is found in North America. You can find it in places like British Columbia in Canada, all the way down to California in the United States, and even in states like Wyoming.
It's not a common plant. It usually grows in specific damp places. You might find it in wet meadows within coniferous forests, which are forests with cone-bearing trees like pines and firs. It also likes marshy areas, which are wet, soft lands, similar to swamps.
What Does It Look Like?
The scalloped moonwort is a tiny plant. It grows from an underground stem or root-like part called a caudex. From this underground part, it sends up just one thin, shiny, yellow-green leaf. This leaf can grow up to about 6 centimeters (about 2.4 inches) tall. That's shorter than most pencils!
The leaf has two main parts:
- Sterile part: This part looks like a regular leaf. It has fan-shaped sections with clear veins and wrinkly edges. This part helps the plant make its food using sunlight.
- Fertile part: This part looks very different. It's where the plant makes its spores. It has tiny clusters that look a bit like grapes. These clusters are called sporangia, and they hold the spores for reproduction.
How Does It Reproduce?
Like all ferns, the scalloped moonwort reproduces using spores instead of seeds. The sporangia on the fertile part of the leaf release these tiny spores. When the spores land in a good, damp spot, they can grow into a new moonwort plant. This is a fascinating way for plants to create new life!
