TERNATE GRAPE FERN 



BotrycniuTn ternatum (Xnuno.) S"w. 



FLESri 1 plants, fertile ana sterile portions distinct and 

 unlike, tKe bud of tke next year imbedded m tke base of 

 tne stem wnicb arises from a snort erect deep rootstock -witn 

 flesKy roots. Leaves usually single, from a few incbes to a 

 foot or more in neignt, in two segments, sterile and fertile, 

 sligntly hairy, arising from near the base of tne stem. Xne 

 sterile portion dark green, broadly triangular, ternate, the 

 divisions stalked and much divided, the final divisions round 

 to oblong, variable in outlines and margins. Fertile segment 

 long-stalked, inclined, twice pinnate, the contracted divisions 

 bearing each a double ro-w of unstalked naked globular spore- 

 cases, opening by a transverse slit, the whole segment form- 

 ing a large heavy close cluster. 



The genus Botrychium is here represented by t^vo 

 species. This one, which is quite unlike most ferns m ap- 

 pearance, IS found occasionally on low wet ground. 1 he 

 spore-bearing part, which is not produced till late in the 

 season, bears some resemblance to a minature cluster of grapes. 



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