Family: Dryopteridaceae
bladder fern, brittle bladder fern, northern fragile fern
[Cystopteris dickieana Sim, more...]
Christopher Noll
Kitty Kohout
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Cystopteris: from Greek cystis, "bladder," and pteris, "fern"
Plants: perennial fern
Habitat: amid rocks in woods
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: perennial fern
Habitat: amid rocks in woods
Conservation Status: Native
Usually on moist shaded rocks, especially limestone or dolomite, less often on sandstone, also in peat bogs, tamarack swamps, north-facing cliffs, and on decaying stumps. The epithet fragilis applied to this species by Linnaeus refers to the brittle petioles that break easily when bent. This is a tetraploid, probably of hybrid origin itself, and has hybridized with C. bulbifera, perhaps several times, producing C. laurentiana.
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 6, Wetland Indicator = FACU USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Fern & Fern Allies: Photos, descriptions, information
Kitty Kohout
Christopher Noll
Kitty Kohout
Christopher Noll
Christopher Noll
Kurt Stüber
Botanical Illustration
