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Cystopteris Bernhardi. Common name: Bladder Fern, Brittle Fern.

Key to Cystopteris

A genus of about 30-35 species, sub-cosmopolitan in distribution, primarily of temperate regions but also in montane to alpine settings in tropical regions.

ID notes: See Woodsia for suggestions on distinguishing between Cystopteris and Woodsia, somewhat similar ferns often confused.

Key advice:Hybrids frequently occur where two or more species of Cystopteris grow in proximity. The following hybrids may be anticipated in our area: Cystopteris bulbifera × tennesseensis, Cystopteris bulbifera × tenuis [= C. ×illinoensis R.C. Moran], Cystopteris fragilis × tenuis, Cystopteris protrusa × tennesseensis, Cystopteris protrusa × tenuis, Cystopteris tennesseensis × tenuis [= C. ×wagneri R.C. Moran].

References: Ekrt et al. (2022); Haufler, Moran, & Windham (1993) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (1993b); Haufler, Windham, & Ranker (1990); Kramer & Green (1990); Rothfels et al. (2014); Shmakov, Batkin, & Vaganov (2018); Wang & Haufler in FoC (2013); Windham & Pryer (2022). Show full citations.

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image of plant© Erik Danielson | Cystopteris bulbifera source | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Cystopteris tenuis | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Bruce A. Sorrie | Cystopteris protrusa | Original Image ⭷
image of plant© Gary P. Fleming | Cystopteris bulbifera | Original Image ⭷

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