[7]
Botrychium multifidum
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[9]
Botrychium pinnatum
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Practical ecological knowledge for the temperate reader. |
Family: Ophioglossaceae (Adder's-tongue) [E-flora]
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[7]
Botrychium multifidum |
[9]
Botrychium pinnatum |
"Habit:Roots smooth, pale yellow, without bulblets or plantlets. Leaf: deciduous; bud glabrous; sporophore and trophophore (or 2 sporophores) joined at or well above ground level; trophophore generally 1–2-pinnate (simple or entire or 0), linear to deltate to ternately triangular, thin to fleshy, pinnae ovate to oblong and midribbed or wedge- to fan-shaped and not midribbed, veins free, forked; sporophore 1–2-pinnate, rarely absent. Sporangia: not sunken in axis; stalk 0 or short."
25–35 species: generally temperate to arctic or alpine."
"Etymology: (Greek: bunch of grapes, from clusters of sporangia)"
"Note: Difficult, needs study; most species uncommon, sporadic; good sampling of populations highly desirable in specimens, which must be carefully spread and pressed for identification. Botrychium multifidum moved to Sceptridium. Botrychium pedunculosum W.H. Wagner, differing from Botrychium pinnatum in having trophophore stalk +- = trophophore rachis (vs trophophore stalk 0 to 1/10 trophophore rachis), recently confirmed for California, based on discovery in summer of 2010 near Reynolds Creek, western of Yosemite National Park, Calaveras Co." [Jepson]
"The Ophioglossales form a small, and morphologically peculiar, order of living ferns which, since they have no well-established fossil record, are of obscure origin. In all members the fertile region of the frond takes the form of a spike or pinnately branched structure, clearly set off from the vegetative portion. A feature that separates the Ophioglossales from other living ferns is that the fronds, instead of showing circinate vernation ..., grow marginally from a more or less flat primordium. That of Botrychium lunaria when young shows a distinct kind of folding, the upper margins of the pinnules being covered by the lower margins of the pinnules above. Of the three genera of the class, Botrychium (moonwort) and Ophioglossum (adder’s tongue) ... are fairly widespread, the former mainly in the north temperate zone and the latter chiefly in the tropics.... The third genus, Helminthostachys..., is restricted to the Polynesian Islands in the South Pacific and a few regions in the Asian tropics, but is often locally abundant along roadsides." [GPOD]
"Members of the Ophioglossaceae have a peculiar morphology, unlike any other ferns. They are described and differentiated using terms and concepts specific to the family as outlined below (see Figure 1). Moonworts, like other members of the family, typically produce one leaf per year from an underground upright stem with a single apical meristem. The above-ground portion of a mature leaf is divided into two axes. One axis, bearing an expanded, usually photosynthetic lamina or blade, is called the trophophore or sterile segment. The other axis, bearing numerous globose sporangia, is called the sporophore or fertile segment. The trophophore and sporophore are joined into a common stalk or petiole, usually near the base of the expanded lamina. The common stalk extends underground to the stem apex where its base encloses the apical bud. Species of Botrychium are differentiated from species of the other genera in having trophophores that are at most twice pinnate and generally much smaller than the large, three or more times divided trophophores of genera Sceptridium and Botrypus." [Farrar,2011]
"The embryogeny of Botrychium is somewhat variable: in some species there is a suspensor and development is endoscopic, in others the suspensor is lacking and the development exoscopic. The first organ to emerge is the root, infected from the first with the same endophytic fungus as the gametophyte. The young plant may remain subterranean in an immature condition for several years. Some individuals may even become green and complete their life cycle while remaining covered by litter. Permanently albino forms are also known, but the inheritance of this condition has not been studied. It seems that photosynthesis plays a minor rôle in the metabolism of Botrychium, nutrition being, in some forms at least, provided entirely by the mycorrhizal fungus. Despite the gametophyte being subterranean, interspecific hybrids of Botrychium are known and sometimes locally frequent." [GPOD]
[Farrar,2011]
"Within the genus Botrychium, Clausen (1938) described three subgenera: Eubotrychium (= Botrychium), Sceptridium and Osmundopteris. The first two groups continue to be recognized as the moonworts (subgenus Botrychium) and the grapeferns (subgenus Sceptridium). The third of Clausen’s subgenera remains controversial. Wagner and Wagner (1993) continued to recognize Osmundopteris as the subgenus containing the North American rattlesnake fern, B. virginianum. Kato (1987) split Osmundopteris into two subgenera, Botrypus (containing B. virginianum) and Japanobotrychium. Using two molecular data sets plus morphological/anatomical characters, Hauk et al. (2003) reported Botrychium and Sceptridium to be well supported entities, but found Botrypus to be paraphyletic." [Farrar,2011]
"A recent study of the Botrychium lunaria complex worldwide by M. Stensvold (2008) has revealed additional taxonomic complexity in this group. She has shown that plants of the contiguous US and of coastal Alaska historically referred to as B. lunaria are, in fact, sufficiently different genetically to warrant recognition as a distinct species. Stensvold has proposed recognizing these North American plants as B. neolunaria ined.. She has also demonstrated the presence of true B. lunaria in inland Alaska and Canada. Her results also show that B. crenulatum is genetically very similar to true B. lunaria, sufficiently so to rank crenulatum as a variety of B. lunaria. Stensvold will also recognize an additional variety of B. lunaria and an additional new species in Europe." [Farrar,2011]
Botrychium lunaria treated in Botrypus. Botrychium multifidum and some other members of Botrychium are treated as members of Sceptridium [Weakley FSMAS]"A genus of ca. 14 species, nearly cosmopolitan. References: Hauk, Parks, & Chase (2003); Hauk (1996)." [Weakley FSMAS]
"A genus of 1-2 species, semicosmopolitan. References: Hauk, Parks, & Chase (2003)." [Weakley FSMAS]
"3 deciduous Botrychium species within our region are lance-leaved moonwort (B. lanceolatum), "northwestern moonwort (B. boreale, also known as Botrychium pinnatum) and rattlesnake fern (B. virginianum)." [PCBC2004]
"1 Sporangia restricted to 1 of the 2 divisions of the single leaf produced during the growing season (the vegetative portion of the leaf of the previous year may have persisted, however); sporangia without an annulus (a strip of thick-walled cells that straightens out in dry weather, tearing open the ripe sporangium, thus allowing spores to escape); young leaves not coiled ............................ Ophioglossaceae ADDER'S-TONGUE FAMILY (Botrychium. Ophioglossum) [Kozloff PWO]
Key to Genera of Ferns
"1a. Sporangia (spore sacs) in clusters on a leafless stalk that projects
from the upper side of the leaf (frond) (grape or rattlesnake ferns) ........................ Botrychium
lb. Sporangia borne on the underside of vegetative leaf or
on separate, modified, fertile leaf ('true' ferns) .......................................................................... 2"
[PCBC2004]
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[6]
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| A= Botrychium matricariifolium ; B= Botrychium angustisegmentum ; C= Botrychium silaifolium ; D= Botrychium simplex ; E= Botrychium minganense ; e= sommité fructifère ; e'= spore ; F= Botrychium lunaria ; f= spore |
References
"The native range of this species is Subarctic America to W. & W. Central U.S.A." [Kew PWO]
"General: Deciduous perennial, 5-13 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Sporophores:
2-pinnate, 1.5-2 times the length of trophophores." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Trophophores:
Lanceolate, short stalked, the tips toothed; blades 1-pinnate; pinnae in 3 to 5 well-separated pairs, strongly ascending with minutely toothed margins, often shallowly incised." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Mesic to moist grassy fields and meadows in the lowland and montane zones; rare in SW and SE BC; N to AK, disjunct in ON, S to CO, ID, NV and CA." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
References
[1]
Botrychium lanceolatum |
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[2]
Botrychium lanceolatum |
"The native range of this species is Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the subalpine or subarctic biome." [Kew PWO]
SUBTAXA PRESENT IN BC
"General: Deciduous perennial, 3-25 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Sporophores:
1- to 3-pinnate, 1-2.5 times length of trophophores, divided into several equally long branches." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Trophophores:
Triangular-shaped, unstalked or nearly so; the blades green to pale yellow-green, broad, coarse, succulent, 1- to 2-pinnate with up to 5 pairs of pinnae,
the first pair of pinnae longest; margins with distinct lobes, lobes with pointed tips." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Mesic to wet rocky slopes, meadows and woods in the montane to subalpine zones; infrequent throughout BC; circumpolar, N to AK and YT, E to SK and S to NM, AZ and CA; Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
Subspecies:
Botrychium lanceolatum subsp. angustisegmentum (Pease & A.H.Moore) R.T.Clausen
Botrychium lanceolatum subsp. lanceolatum [WorldFloraOnline]
Synonyms:
Botrychium lanceolatum var. lanceolatum
Osmunda lanceolata Gmel. [WorldFloraOnline]
References
2.JPG)
[3]
Botrychium lunaria |
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[4]
Botrychium lunaria |
"The native range of this species is Greenland, Subarctic & Temp. Old World. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the temperate biome." [Kew PWO]
"Botrychium lunaria is a FERN growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in). It is hardy to zone (UK) 2. The seeds ripen from Jun to August.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil." [PFAF]
"Sceptridium lunarioides (Michaux) Holub, Winter Grapefern. Old fields, pastures, young forests, granitic flatrocks, juniper-oak-blue ash woodlands over limestone. January-April. W. NC, c. TN, and s. SC south to n. FL, and west to e. TX and se. OK. Wagner (1992) proposes that B. lunarioides be treated in a new monotypic section, Hiemobotrychium, of Botrychium, subgenus Sceptridium. The species is hard to spot, and all the more difficult to find because of its phenology; the leaves appear in late fall and die by early spring. [= Botrychium lunarioides (Michaux) Swartz – RAB, FNA, K, WH; = Holubiella lunarioides (Michaux) Škoda; = Botrypus lunarioides Michaux]" [Weakley FSMAS]
"General: Deciduous perennial, 2-20 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Sporophores:
1- to 2-pinnate, 0.8-2 times length of trophophores." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Trophophores:
Oblong, unstalked or short stalked, 1-pinnate, up to 12 cm long; pinnae up to 10 pairs, overlapping, semicircular, entire or sometimes undulate or rarely slightly toothed." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Several other species of Botrychium resemble moonwort and need to be examined closely with the aid of technical manuals to make an accurate determination." [PCBC2004]
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"Habitat / Range
Mesic to moist woods, meadows, grassy slopes and heath from the montane to alpine zones; infrequent in BC; circumpolar, N to AK, YT and NT, E to NF and S to ME, PA, MI, WI, MN, ND, NM, AZ and CA; Eurasia, Australia, New Zealand, Patagonia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Origin Status: Unlisted [E-flora]
Skin Problems: "Among the less commonly reported species, the use of the fern Botrychium lunaria for skin problems should be further investigated, as the use of this plant was not recorded in the Italian ethnobotanical database compiled in 2004 [38], and the phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Botrychium is largely unknown, if we exclude the recent work on its flavonoids [39]." [Bellia&Pieroni,2015]
Boils, Tonic: "Paste of the plant is applied in treatment of boils and cooked plants are prescribed to convalescent patients as a tonic (Bhattarai 1992)." [Ojha,Rijan et al.,2021]
"...use of Botrychium lunaria as an abortifacient [72]." [Petelka, Joshua, et al.,2015]
Fever - Whole plant - "Infusion with coconut oil increases fertility" [Gul et al.,2016]
Lore
"(Botrychium lunaria) Moonwort, so called because of the crescent shape of its leaflets, so it has always been associated with moonlight and magic. It was believed to wax and wane like the moon, and to shine at night (Coats. 1975). Like other “moon” plants, it was supposed to have the power of repelling snakes, and of opening locks (R T Gunther. 1905). Any horse that trod on one would cast a shoe, and burglars would make an incision in the palm of their hand and put a piece of moonwort under it, for this would give them a hand that would open bolts and bars at a touch (Coats. 1975)." [DPL Watts]
"Another fern that had a great deal of superstition attached to it was Botrychium lunaria (Moonwort). This fern was thought to have magical power if gathered by moonlight and was much used by witches in their incantations. It was also used by alchemists who thought it had the power to condense or convert quicksilver into pure silver. In addition, it was thought to have the power of unshoeing horses." [May1978]
"Moonwort, when gathered under a full moon, was thought to have the power of unlocking any door if inserted in the keyhole. In Switzerland the rhizome of this fern carried in the right pocket rendered the bearer invulnerable to daggers or bullets. In the Harz mountains it was said it had the power to reveal buried treasures." [May1978]
Cultivation
"Prefers a moist free-draining soil[1]. The prothalli (small plants formed when the spores germinate) of this species form a symbiotic relationship with a mycorrhizal fungus in much the same way as orchid seedlings[200]. Plants can be hard to establish, they can be naturalized in a meadow or cultivated in the border where they should be left undisturbed[200]. Unlike most species of ferns, the fronds of this species grow up straight and not curled inward, crozier fashion[4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]." [PFAF]
Propagation
"Spores - best surface sown as soon as they are ripe in a greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. Placing the pot in a plastic bag helps to maintain a humid atmosphere which promotes germination and growth. Prick out small clumps into pots when they are large enough to handle and keep moist until established. Grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter and plant out in late spring. Division. It is best not to try and disturb this plant[200]." [PFAF]
Synonyms
Botrychium neolunaria (Stensvold & Farrar)[E-flora]
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[5]
Botrychium minganense |
"The native range of this species is Subarctic America to Mexico (Nuevo León), Iceland. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the temperate biome." [Kew PWO]
"General: Deciduous perennial, 3-10 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Sporophores: 1- to 2-pinnate, 1-2.5 times length of trophophores." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Trophophores: Narrowly oblong, unstalked or short stalked, 1-pinnate, up to 12 cm long; pinnae up to 10 pairs, well separated, semicircular to fan-shaped, entire or slightly toothed with rounded tips." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Mesic to wet woods, meadows, in the montane to alpine zones; infrequent in BC; N to AK, YT and NT, E to NF and S to NY, MI, WI, MN, ND, CO, AZ and CA." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
Synonyms
References
[8]
Botrychium multifidum |
[10]
Botrychium multifidum |
"The native range of this species is Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the temperate biome." [Kew PWO]
"General: Evergreen perennial, 7-30 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Sporophores: 2- to 3-pinnate, 1.2-2 times length of trophophores." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Trophophores:
Broadly triangular, stalks 2-15 cm long, wintergreen, thick, leathery, smooth, ternate and 3- to 4-pinnate, up to 25-35 cm long and about as wide;
pinnae to 10 pairs, all in the plane of the blade; pinnules lopsided egg-shaped, rounded with entire margins." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Moist to wet meadows, grassy clearings, lake margins, riverbanks, alluvial
forests in the lowland and montane zones; frequent south of 55degreeN; circumpolar, N to AK, E to NF and S to MA, NY, WV,
OH, IL, IA, SD, CO, AZ and CA; Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Unlisted [E-flora]
Headache,Mouth: "The paste of root is applied on forehead to relieve headache; also used in treatment of blemishes on tongue (Manandhar 1986)" [Ojha,Rijan et al.,2021]
Synonyms
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References
"The native range of this species is Subarctic America to W. U.S.A." [Kew PWO]
"General: Deciduous perennial, 3-15 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Sporophores: 2-pinnate, about 2 times length of trophophores." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Trophophores:
Broadly triangular or egg-shaped, unstalked or short stalked, 1- to 2-pinnate, up to 8 cm long; pinnae to 8 pairs, approximate or overlapping, with entire or
slightly lobed margins and rounded tips, the lowest similar in size." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Notes: The only North American collections of Botrychium boreale Milde have been recently collected in Kootenay National Park, SE BC (W.H. Wagner, pers. comm.). It is difficult to separate from B. pinnatum, but the lowermost pinnae have shallow, narrow sinuses (they are wide and deep in B. pinnatum)." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Mesic to moist stream banks, meadows and heath in the montane and subalpine zones; infrequent throughout BC; N to AK, YT and NT and S to CO, AZ and CA." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
Synonyms
References
[11]
Botrychium simplex |
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[12]
Botrychium simplex |
"The native range of this species is Subarctic & Temp. Northern Hemisphere. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the subalpine or subarctic biome." [Kew PWO]
Subtaxa Present in B.C.
"General: Deciduous perennial, 0.5-7 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Sporophores: 1-pinnate, 1-8 times length of trophophores." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Trophophores: Oblong to widely triangular, unstalked or narrowed into short stalks, usually simple;
pinnae usually overlapping, up to 1.5 cm long, pinnules usually entire or shallowly lobed." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Moist to wet vernal pools and ephemeral seepages in the lowland and montane zones; rare in S and EC BC; circumpolar, E to SK, disjunct E to ON, PQ and NF and S to MA, NH, NC, MS, IA, SD, CO, UT, NV and CA; Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
Synonyms
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References
"The native range of this species is Subarctic America to NW. & N. Central U.S.A. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the temperate biome." [Kew PWO]
"General: Deciduous perennial, 1-10 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Sporophores: 1- to 2-pinnate, 1.2-2 times length of trophophores." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Trophophores: Oblong to lanceolate, unstalked, 1-pinnate, up to 8 cm long; pinnae to 8 pairs, well separated, narrowly spoon-shaped or spoon-shaped." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Habitat / Range Dry to mesic sand dunes, old fields and grassy railroad sidings in the montane zone; rare in SE BC, known only from Kootenay National Park; N to AK, YT and NT, E to AB and S to MT, disjunct E to ON, PQ, NS and to MI and WI." [IFBC-E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
[15]
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"The native range of this species is Alaska to W. & W. Central U.S.A., N. & Central Europe. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the subalpine or subarctic biome." [Kew PWO]
"Introduction: Added to the BC flora in 2013. Overlooked in BC." [E-flora]
Status: Native [E-flora]
[13]
Botrypus virginiana |
 [14]
Botrychium virginianum |
"The native range of this species is New World, Temp. Eurasia. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the temperate biome. It is used to treat unspecified medicinal disorders, as a medicine and for food." [Kew PWO]
"Habitat / Range
Mesic to wet alluvial forests and swamps and river banks in the lowland, steppe and montane zones; frequent throughout BC; circumpolar, N to AK, YT and NT, E to NF and S throughout all of the U.S.; Eurasia." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Botrypus virginianus (Linnaeus) Holub, Rattlesnake Fern, Sang-find. In a wide range of fairly dry, mesic, and wet forests,
cove forests, especially in nutrient-rich, moist bottomlands and slopes. April-June. NL (Newfoundland) and BC south to n.
peninsular FL and CA, and Mexico south through Central America and n. South America; West Indies; Asia; Australia; scattered
in Europe." [Weakley FSMAS]
Status: Native. [E-flora]
"Botrychium virginianum is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in). It is in leaf 12-Jan.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil." [PFAF]
"General: Deciduous perennial, (5) 10-40 cm tall." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Sporophores: 2-pinnate, 0.5-1.5 times length of trophophores." [IFBC-E-flora]
"Trophophores: Triangular, unstalked, deciduous, thin, herbaceous, divided in 3's or 3- to
4-pinnate, up to 25-35 cm long and about as wide; pinnae to 12 pairs, approximate to overlapping; pinnules
lanceolate with saw-toothed margins and pointed tips." [IFBC-E-flora]
[GPOD]
Hazards
"Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[200]. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[172]." [PFAF]
Edible Uses
"This large, succulent fern is boiled and eaten in the Himalayas as well
as in New Zealand." [Sturtevant EPW] "... The report does not say which part of the plant is used, though it is probably the root[K]." [PFAF]
Medicinal Uses
Potawatomi language this plant was called “kajidji'bîkûkûk” [zigzag root]. While everyone seemed to know this root and have a name for it, the writer was unable to
find its application in medicines, except in combinations. The root was considered a medicine by all of them. Among the whites,195 the leaves have been valued for their astringent
and vulnerary properties. [HuronSmith Zuni]
"A poultice or lotion made from the roots of Botrychium virginianum is applied to snakebites, bruises, cuts and sores in the Himalayas." [Semwal et al.,2021]
"The root is used as an altemate ingredient in the medicine accompanying Formuia 5: "For dreaming of snakes. " " [Banks MEUPC]
"Formula 5: For when he dreams of snakes. A decoction of the roots of rattlesnake fern, Botrychium virginianum 1., or Virginia snakeroot, Aristolochia serpentaria 1., or the bark of tuliptree, Liriodendron tulipifera 1., is rubbed on to the place where the patient dreamed he was snake bitten. The place is breathed on four times and the patient is given some of the decoction to drink, causing him to vomit: "Oh, Black men, come help him for it was only a ghost snake which bit him." " [Banks MEUPC]
"The fern snake root mentioned by Adair appears to be Botrychium virginianum, the rattlesnake fern. While the vernacular name “rattlesnake fern” could be attributed to an association with the rattle of a rattlesnake because of the erect nature of its fertile frond, Olbrechts claimed that it was the primary remedy for a dream-snakebite. The Cherokee had an elaborate system of disease diagnosis associated with the dream world (Mooney and Olbrechts 1932, 35-37), and a dream of being bitten by a snake was treated as an actual bite. If the dream-bite was left untreated, the victim would eventually develop swelling and ulcers on the spot, just as if it were an actual bite (Mooney 1900, 295; Mooney and Olbrechts 1932, 176). Rattlesnake fern was applied to both a dream-bite and, in the absence of a superior remedy, was an acceptable remedy for an actual bite (Mooney and Olbrechts 1932, 177; Cozzo 2004, 337)." [David cozzo.,2013]
"Olbrechts claimed that A. serpentaria [Aristolochia serpentaria or Virginia snakeroot] was a viable substitute for rattlesnake fern (Botrychium virginianum) or tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera) when treating a snakebite that occurred in a dream (Mooney and Olbrechts 1932, 177)." [David cozzo.,2013]
Propagation
"Spores - best surface sown as soon as they are ripe in a greenhouse and do not allow the compost to dry out. Placing the pot in a plastic bag helps to maintain a humid atmosphere which promotes germination and growth. Prick out small clumps into pots when they are large enough to handle and keep moist until established. Grow on in a greenhouse for at least the first winter and plant out in late spring. Division. It is best not to try and disturb this plant[200]." [PFAF]
Cultivation
"Prefers a sandy loam with just a small portion of peat[1]. Requires sharp drainage[1]. Best grown in an open position[1]. Plants can be difficult to establish. The prothalli (young plants formed when the spores germinate) of this plant form a symbiotic relationship with a mycorrhizal fungus, similar to the association of orchid seedlings with an invading fungus[200]. Unlike most species of ferns, the fronds of this species grow up straight and not curled inward, crozier fashion[4]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]." [PFAF]
Indicator Plant: "In order to open tea areas, some kinds of weeds or wild plants are often used as indicator plants for soil conditions. For example in China Rhododendron simsii, Botrychium virginianum, Camellia oleijera, and Cunninghamia lanceolala are used as indicators of acidic soil (Sichuan Chaye 1977)." [Holzner BEW]
Gene Transfer from parasitic host species: "Davis et al. (2004, 2005) have described the transfer of genes to an endophytic parasite in the Rafflesiaceae from its obligate hosts in the genus Tetrastigma; as well as gene transfer in the opposite direction, from members of the parasitic angiosperm order, the Santalales (which includes the sandalwoods and mistletoes) to one of their non-angiosperm host plants, the rattlesnake fern (Botrychium virginianum)." [Murphy PPG]
Synonyms
Botrypus virginianus [E-flora] [ThePlantList.org] - Confidence 2/3, Feb 6, 2014.
Image References
Ginseng Indicator Plant "There was a time, especially in the Appalachian Mountains, when men made their living by gathering and selling medicinal roots. The most valuable of these was ginseng. In the early days, when the "Sangers," as these men were called (in mountain vemacular, ginseng is called 'sang), went in to the woods to hunt for ginseng (Panax quinqufolia), they looked for yellow ladyslipper (Cypripedium) and rattlesnake fern (Botrychium). These were known as "sang signs." Where one of the three were found, the others grew, as well." [WFF Vol.IV Nos.4-5]
"Botrychium spp.-Various species of this genus, such as B. lunaria (L.) Swartz, B. ternatum (Thunb.) Swartz (Chopra et al), and B. virginianum (L.) Swartz (Kirtikar & Basu), are used in dysentery, ruptures, and for healing wounds (Wealth of India)." [Puri,1970]
"The young coiled (circulatory) fronds of Botrychium lanuginosum, B. ternatum and B. virginiatum (Botrychiaceae) are used as vegetables [2]." [Semwal et al.,2021]
"Botrychium ternatum, Microsorum memberanaceum (D. Don), Ophioglossum reticulatum (Linn) and Selaginella chrysocaulous are used as fodder and uneaten, left fronds are used as cattle beds." [Semwal et al.,2021]
"Besides, the different species of Diplazium Sw., the species of Tectaria (KALI NIURO), Botrychium Sw.,... etc. are also used as vegetable in the Indian Himalayas, Nepal, Bhutan and North-Eastern India." [Marimuthu Ferns]
"From Bhutan, nearly a dozen species of ferns are reported as edible by Giri (2004) and Matsushima et al. (2008, 2012); among these species, besides common edible Cyathea spp. (DENG), ... Botrychium spp., ..., etc. are common edible ferns." [Marimuthu Ferns]
"Besides its magical and religious values, the tender shoots of moonworts (Botrychium spp.) are also eaten raw as salad or used in making delicious vegetable or pickle (Leach 2003; Kholia 2014; Kandel 2020)." [Marimuthu Ferns]
"In almost all literature, species of Botrychium Sw. are considered a good vulnerary with anti-dysentery properties (Ambast 2000). They are also applied as antibiotics in cut, wounds, ruptures, bruises and sores, and its juice is used in treating breast cancer (Singh 2002; Ambast 2000). Boiled rootstock of Botrychium spp. is used as expectorant and in treating pneumonia and catarrh. The paste from its roots is also used as facial mask (Gaur and Bhatt 1994). Botrychium virginianum (L.) Sw. is reported effective against snakebites in the Himalayas by Srivastava (2007), but authors did not come to know about its use against snakebite during his more than 30 years studies on pteridophytes of the Himalayas." [Marimuthu Ferns]
"In the medieval time, it was thought the ferns have several magical powers and religious values. By this belief, Botrychium species are still used to remove the evil spirits by Buddhist monks in Sikkim and other part of the Himalayas during several religious practices (Kholia 2014)." [Marimuthu Ferns]
"The native range of this species is Tropical & Subtropical Asia. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the subtropical biome." [Kew PWO]
Food Use: "Botrychium lanuginosum E. grape fern; N. jāluko sāg [Common Name] - 2 [Uses]- Fast-spreading, edible leaves [Comments] [Fortier KOTF] "Shoots are also cooked as vegetable (Joshi et al. 2007, Singh 2015)." [Ojha,Rijan et al.,2021] "In Nigeria, seven species: Botrychium lanuginosum .... are utilized as human food" [Maroyi,Alfred.,2014] Botrychium lanuginosum wall. Ex hook. & Grev. - Tender portions eaten by Muthuvan tribes [Marimuthu Ferns] "Tender leaves of Botrychium lanuginosum are regarded as a delicious vegetable in Nepal [24]." [Liu et al.,2012]
Medicinal Use: "The root paste is applied in treatment of boils on the tongue and applied on the forehead to relieve headache (Manandhar 1995b). Shoots are used in body ache (Singh 2015)." [Ojha,Rijan et al.,2021] " Leaves are boiled and ground into paste and applied for wound healing." [Guchhait et al]
"Botrychium lanuginosum is reported to have antidysentric and antibacterial activity [9]" [Karthik,V.,et al.,2011]
"Shade dried whole plant parts are ground with the seeds of pepper and cumin seeds and taken orally to get relief from body pain." [Karthik,V.,et al.,2011]
"Leaves are boiled with water and ground into paste and applied over the affected places to heal wounds." [Karthik,V.,et al.,2011]
Dysentery - "Entire plants of ... and Botrychium lanuginosum Wall. ex Hook & Grev. ... are useful in dysentery." [Marimuthu Ferns]
Syn:
"The native range of this species is Mexico to NW. Argentina. It is used to treat unspecified medicinal disorders and as a medicine." [Kew PWO]
"Botrychium schaffneri Underw. has been popularly consumed since ancient times as a traditional medicine in China to treat whooping cough, bronchial asthma, and febrile convulsive twitch disease." [Yu-jai Liu et al.,2021]
"An ethanolic extract of the entire root of the grass Botrychium schaffneri Underw. (BSE) has been used in China for centuries to treat whooping cough, bronchial asthma, and febrile convulsive twitch disease (4,5). More recently, BSE has been shown to have expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects. It has also been shown that BSE and its components exert anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects in mice, as well as inhibit the proliferation of skin papilloma (6,7). In our previous work, we showed that BSE may be effective against severe asthma (8). This led us to question whether BSE may be effective against lung cancer, in particular NSCLC [Non-small cell lung carcinoma]." [Yu-jai Liu et al.,2021]
In this study, we used the ethanolic root extract of the grass, Botrychium schaffneri Underw., which is known as Sceptridium ternatum, Yin Di Jue, or Xiao Chun Hua. Botrychium schaffneri Underw. was collected from Lishui in the Zhejiang Province, China (118°41’E-120°26’E, 27°25’N-28°57’N; voucher specimen ZJ-20120926), and the species was confirmed by Professor Xi-Lin Chen (Zhejiang Chinese Medicine University) to meet the specifications in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Botrychium schaffneri Underw. (10 kg) was mixed with 10 volumes of 70% (v/v) aqueous ethanol and subjected to reflux extraction under heat. A total of 3 cycles of extraction were performed for 2 hours each time. The filtrates were combined and concentrated under reduced pressure, and the resulting ethanol extract was diluted in water to a density of 2 g/mL, representing the crude drug extract." [Yu-jai Liu et al.,2021]
Without exerting obvious toxicity on xenograft-bearing mice (Figure 2A), BSE reduced tumor volume relative to control tumors in a dose-dependent manner (Figure 2B). At 25 days after treatment, relative tumor volume was significantly smaller in animals treated with 25 g/kg BSE (13.85±3.36) than in control animals (23.40±6.05, P=0.044; Figure 2C). A corresponding dose-dependent decrease in tumor weight was also observed (Figure 2D,2E)." [Yu-jai Liu et al.,2021]
Syn: Botrychium ternatum (Thunb.) Sw. = Sceptridium ternatum (Thunb.) Lyon [WorldFloraOnline]
"The native range of this species is Himalaya to S. Sakhalin and Temp. E. Asia. It is a perennial and grows primarily in the temperate biome." [Kew PWO]
"Botrychium ternatum It is the plant of Botrychium ternatum (Thunb.) Sw. (Botrychiaceae) with root. Effect: Clearing away heat, calming the liver and
relieving cough.
Indication: Dizziness, headache, hematemesis, epilepsy, acute conjunctivitis, sore throat, carbuncles and other
pyogenic infections on the body surface." [Xinrong TCM]
Case study
"Botrychium ternatum ((Thunb.) Sw.), a traditional Chinese medicine, is known for its therapeutic properties in clearing heat, detoxifying, cough suppression, and phlegm elimination. It has been extensively used in clinics for the treatment of many inflammation-related diseases. Currently, there are no documented cases of rhabdomyolysis resulting from Botrychium ternatum intoxication." [Ming-wei et al.,2024]
"A 57-year-old male presented with a complaint of low back discomfort accompanied by tea-colored urine lasting for 4 days. The patient also exhibited markedly increased creatine phosphate kinase and myoglobin levels. Prior to the onset of symptoms, the patient consumed 50 g of Botrychium ternatum to alleviate pharyngodynia." [Ming-wei et al.,2024]
"Based on the patient medical history, presenting symptoms and signs, as well as reported usage of Botrychium ternatum, concomitant shoulder and back muscle pain, notable elevations in serum creatine phosphate kinase and myoglobin levels, ruling out any influence from external strenuous exercise, parasitic infection, or rheumatic immune-related conditions, the patient was diagnosed with RM due to Botrychium ternatum intoxication. The patient was treated with large-volume fluid resuscitation (approximately 10 L per day), along with diuresis. Additionally, therapeutic interventions were performed to restore acid-base balance and electrolyte disturbances. The patient condition was closely monitored through dynamic observation of creatine phosphate kinase and myoglobin levels as well as liver and kidney function and electrolyte fluctuations. After 9 days of treatment, there was a notable reduction in the levels of creatine phosphate kinase and myoglobin, approaching values considered within the normal range (Table 1). Additionally, the liver and renal functions were normal (Table 1). The patient was discharged after further monitoring and examination." [Ming-wei et al.,2024]
Activities: "As a folk medicine, Botrychium ternatum has been used for thousands of years in China. In the present work, a water soluble polysaccharide BTp1 was extracted and purified from B. ternatum.... The immunomodulatory assay exhibited that BTp1 could significantly enhance the viability and promote the release of NO in RAW 264.7 cells, suggesting that BTp1 could be a potential immunomodulatory agent in pharmacological fields." [Zhao,Xiaoyong,et al.,2017]
"Botrychium ternatum, belonging to the family of Ophiolossaceaus, is a traditional Chinese medicine. It has been prescribed to treat asthma and whooping cough and been considered to have anti-toxic effects in vivo. The major components of B. ternatum are flavonoids and polysaccharides (Qi, 2012). A few researchers have focused on the flavonoids in B. ternatum (Warashina, Umehara, & Miyase, 2012; Yuan et al., 2013). Totally 33 small molecules have been identified in methanol extract (Warashina et al., 2012) and 70% ethanol extract of B. ternatum has been selected to treat allergic asthmatic in mouse (Yuan et al., 2013). However, to the best of our knowledge, although prescription of B. ternatum have already been used clinically, the understanding of chemical composition in this herb, especially for the polysaccharides, is still limited." [Zhao,Xiaoyong,et al.,2017]
"Our study not only clarifies the potential anti-fibrotic mechanism of BT against IPF at the metabolic level but also provides a theoretical basis for developing BT as an effective anti-fibrotic agent." [Lou et al.,2024]
"Botrychium ternatum (Thunb.) Sw. is a traditional medicinal plant of the genus Botrychiaceae and the genus Botrychium Sw and is known as Xiaochunhua, Yiduoyun, Huajue, and Dulijinji. It has been traditionally used for heat-clearing and detoxification, suppressing hyperactive liver to alleviate endogenous wind-related symptoms such as dizziness and headache, cough-relieving, hemostasis, and vision-enhancing.[6] In China, it has been used for the clinical management of inflammatory disorders." [Ming-wei et al.,2024]
Nutritional: "The result showed that (1) the contents of crude protein, crude fat, total sugar, cellulose, and ash content of Botrychium ternatum (Thunb.) Sw. were 3.70% and 3.17%, 8.15% and 5.40%, 8.50% and 1.40%, 8.43% and 1.48%, 7.0% and 3.80% respectively and were higher than 4 daily eating vegetables, and the difference was significant. In addition, the stem leaf and root of Botrychium ternatum (Thunb.) Sw. were also rich in VB1 and VB2, VB6 and mineral elements K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn; (2) the content of Hg was zero, but the contents of Cd and Pb were lower vegetables limited standard and Chinese herbal medicines limited standard. Moreover, the stem leaf and root of Botrychium ternatum (Thunb.) Sw. were containing nitrite and nitrate, but the content was very low." [YaGuan, et al.,2017]
Flavonoid -> Ternatin: "Botrychium species, a new species of moonworts, is an important kind of Chinese traditional medicine with multiple therapeutical functions such as heat-clearing, fire-purging, moisturising, detoxifying and anti-abortion as well. As the active component in Botrychium ternatum, ternatin is flavonoid compound that can be isolated from the crude drug and then used as therapeutical medicine. Besides, Botrychium ternatum is generally prepared as concentrated composite herbal preparations in oriental countries owing to the convenient usage. Therefore, to develop a simple, effective and economical technique for the determination of ternatin in Chinese traditional medicines is highly demanded." [Wang et al.,2016]
"Botrychium ternatum, belonging to the family of Ophiolossaceaus, is a traditional Chinese medicine. It has been prescribed to treat asthma and whooping cough and been considered to have anti-toxic effects in vivo. The major components of B. ternatum are flavonoids and polysaccharides (Qi, 2012). A few researchers have focused on the flavonoids in B. ternatum (Warashina, Umehara, & Miyase, 2012; Yuan et al., 2013). Totally 33 small molecules have been identified in methanol extract (Warashina et al., 2012) and 70% ethanol extract of B. ternatum has been selected to treat allergic asthmatic in mouse (Yuan et al., 2013). However, to the best of our knowledge, although preparations of B. ternatum have already been used clinically, the understanding of chemical composition in this herb, especially for the polysaccharides, is still limited." [Zhao,2017]
"In summary, a water-soluble polysaccharide BTp1 was isolated and purified from B. ternatum in the present study. ... The immunomodulatory assay showed that BTp1 could significantly enhance the viability of RAW 264.7 cells, and promote the release of NO. These results suggested that B. ternatum polysaccharide might be a good candidate for the development of new immunomodulatory functional food supplement." [Zhao,2017]
"Botrychium ternatum is one of the Ophiolossaceaus plants and distributed to the Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu Islands in Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and China. In Japan, this plant is called “Fuyunohanawarabi” and used to treat dizziness, headache, cough, and fever as a folk medicine." [Warashina et al.,2012]
"Previous reports described that Botrychium virginianum (Japanobotrychium virginianum) which belongs to the Ophiolossaceaus family caused the proliferation of normal human skin fibroblasts and inhibition of melanin synthesis.1) B. ternatum also belongs to the Ophiolossaceaus family. So, we examined whether the MeOH extract, the MeOH–H2O (9 : 1) layer from the Et2O-soluble fraction, the MeOH–H2O (7 : 3) eluate from the porous polymer gel, and the flavonoid glycosides 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 14, 18, 21, 23, and 25 from B. ternatum cause the proliferation of normal human skin fibroblasts. The compounds and the MeOH–H2O (7 : 3) eluate had no effect on the proliferation of fibroblasts at 100–10 µg/mL. The MeOH extract and the MeOH–H2O (9 : 1) layer showed cytotoxicity against fibroblasts at 100 – 1.0 µg/mL. Secondly, in the assay of the cosmetic field, we examined the tyrosinase inhibition of the MeOH extract, the MeOH–H2O (1 : 1 and 7 : 3) eluates from the porous polymer gel, and the flavonoid glycosides 5, 7, 22, 23, 25, 27, and 29 from B. ternatum at 400 µg/mL. But, they did not show inhibitory activity against tyrosinase. The compounds and fractions derived from B. ternatum showed no effects in our assays of the cosmetic field. Thus, we are interested in the difference of the constituents in B. ternatum and B. virginianum from the viewpoints of the biological activities and chemotaxonomy. Because p-coumarated flavonoid glycosides from Aconitum anthora are reported to have the antioxidant activity,19) the compounds derived from B. ternatum may also reveal this activity." [Warashina et al.,2012]
Threatened Species: "[An introduced earthworm species,] Lumbricus rubellus[,] has a voracious appetite for the organic material of the forest floor (Frelich et al. 2006), and is the species implicated as causing significant changes in plant communities in Minnesota (Hale 2004), including the extirpation of the rare fern Botrychium mormo Wagner in the Chippewa National Forest (Gundale 2002). Thus its widespread presence in coastal rainforests should be of concern." [Langor EINNI]
Response to environmental stress: "The work of Bremer highlights the importance of long-term (>5 years) population monitoring. There have been other recent long-term studies of temperate species and while not as comprehensive in scope, they have provided valuable ecological insights. For example, studies of repeatedly monitored individuals of Botrychium (grape ferns, Plate 4A) in various locations have found resistance to herbivory (Botrychium dissectum, 12 years; Montgomery, 1990); slow recovery from fire (Botrychium campestre, B. gallicomontanum, 12 years; B. mormo, 7 years; Johnson-Groh, 1999) and a positive relationship between light and spore production (Botrychium australe, 6 years, Kelly, 1994)." [Mehltreter FE]
Botrychium lanuginosum, B. lunaria, B. ternatum and B. virginianum formed relationships with arbuscular mycorrhiza [AM]. [Wang,2006]
"Mycoheterotrophy represents a shift of balanced mutualistic symbiosis between plants and fungi toward an exploitative use of mycorrhizal fungi by plants that are no longer fully photosynthetic (Leake 1994). It is clearly a derived condition in mycorrhizal evolution.... In addition, gametophytes of Lycopodium, Psilotum, and Botrychium are also mycoheterotrophic (reviewed by Brundrett 2002). However, it has been suggested that mycoheterotrophy in these latter cases and most species of Orchidaceae may be different from that in other plant groups mentioned above (Bidartondo 2005) because these plants only engage in mycoheterotrophy for a part of their life cycles during establishment, and they are photosynthetic for the rest of their life cycles and enter mutualistic symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi." [Wang,2006]
"We characterized the AM symbionts in B. lanceolatum and B. crenulatum at three distinct ontogenetic stages (Fig. 1). The first stage was the subterranean mycoheterotrophic gametophyte that is completely dependent on its mycorrhizal symbiont for a source of fixed carbon (Fig. 2). The second stage was the subterranean mycoheterotrophic sporophyte that initially receives carbon from the gametophyte and is known to establish its own separate AM associations (Campbell, 1911; Schmid and Oberwinkler, 1994). These mycoheterotrophic stages in Botrychium collectively can live as long as 10 yr underground, during which time the plants rely on their fungal symbionts for a source of fixed carbon (Johnson-Groh and Lee, 2002). The third stage was the photosynthetic diploid sporophyte that has AM symbionts (Fig. 3) that are assumed to engage in a mutualistic relationship with the host plant." [Winther&Friedman,2007]
"Using 18S rDNA sequence data, we have characterized the molecular and phylogenetic identity of glomalean AM fungi that form symbiotic associations with mycoheterotrophic and autotrophic stages of Botrychium. We isolated 11 18S phylotypes from field-collected B. crenulatum and B. lanceolatum gametophytes and sporophytes (Fig. 4, Table 1). The phylogenetic relationships of the isolated 18S sequences provide compelling evidence for the discovery of a major clade of Glomus, the MH1 clade, capable of forming mycoheterotrophic AM associations with underground gametophytes and underground sporophytes of B. crenulatum and B. lanceolatum, and with one species of nonphotosynthetic angiosperm." [Winther&Friedman,2007]
"Our DNA sequence data demonstrated that the mycoheterotrophic life cycle phases of B. crenulatum and B. lanceolatum harbor the same glomalean AM phylotypes as neighboring photosynthetic conspecific and heterospecific sporophytes (Fig. 4, Table 1). In nature, Botrychium gametophytes will not grow past the eight-celled stage without a fungal symbiont (Campbell, 1911). In axenic culture, Botrychium gametophytes will not grow without a source of fixed carbon (Whittier, 1972, 1984; Whittier and Thomas, 1993). Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that Botrychium mycoheterotrophic gametophytes and mycoheterotrophic sporophytes (before their emergence aboveground) acquire fixed carbon through glomalean fungal symbionts that are shared with neighboring photosynthetic plants." [Winther&Friedman,2007]
"Most of the attention on Botrychium mycorrhizae has focused on the gametophyte, probably because o f its achlorophyllous nature. However, the roots of this genus lack root hairs, are sparsely branched, and have a large diameter (Wagner and Wagner, 1993). According to the magnolioid root hypothesis (Baylis, 1975), these are classic characteristics o f obligate mycotrophic plants. These roots are probably not efficient at absorbing nutrients directly from soil, suggesting that the plant must have mycorrhizal fungi to supply those nutrients to the sporophyte. Hepden (1960) found most roots of B. lunaria (L.) Swartz (subgenus Botrychium) colonized with endophytes. Berch and Kendrick (1982) found almost 100% frequency o f arbuscules in root segments o f B. virginianum (L.) Swartz (subgenus Osmundopteris) and B. oneidense (Gilbert) House (subgenus Sceptridium). Nair (1989) observed intracellular septate hyphae and vesicles in roots o f B. virginianum var. daucifolium. When the hyphae became old, they clumped together and formed dark irregular bodies that he referred to as arbuscules. Nair (1989) isolated Fusarium oxysporum from the roots and claimed to reinoculate plants and get the vesicular and arbuscular morphology, an unlikely result. The other achlorophyllous stage o f the Botrychium life cycle is the subterranean gemmae. It would be expected that these would also require mycorrhizae to develop. Farrar and Johnson-Groh (1990) observed fungal hyphae growing through the 6 to 8 cell thick conduit from a parent stem to a gemma. The gemma would thus have the fungus to help supply nutrients necessary for growth. All developing gemmae observed had endophytic fungi (Farrar pers. comm.)." [Camacho.,1999]
[BassiriRad NAP]
[GPOD]