Didymoglossum petersii (A. Gray) Copeland. Dwarf Filmy Fern. Phen: Jun-Aug. Hab: On vertical faces of acidic rock outcrops in humid gorges (in sw. NC, nw. SC, and ne. GA, primarily of the Savannah River drainage), in the context of the very humid escarpment gorges on relatively dry rocks, not on rocks receiving substantial seepage or spray from waterfalls, also on outcrops of Altamaha Grit in the Coastal Plain, on tree bark (especially Magnolia grandiflora and Fagus grandifolia) in swamps and hammocks (in FL, LA, and MS), and on chert around limestone sinkholes (in FL). Dist: W. NC, nw. SC, sw. and sc. TN, south to n. peninsular FL, c. AL, s. MS, and e. LA; disjunct in the Ozarks and Ouachitas of AR; disjunct in Mexico (CHP, VER, and PUE), Guatemala, Costa Rica, and El Salvador.

ID notes:This diminutive species is often overlooked, except by bryologists and hepaticologists; superficially, it does resemble a moss or liverwort more than a fern.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy: = K3, K4, Ebihara et al (2006); = Trichomanes petersii A.Gray – Ar, Fl1, FNA2, K1, Meso1, RAB, S13, Sf, Tn, W, WH3, Wessels Boer (1962)

Show in key(s)

Show parent genus

Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC

Heliophily: 1