Schizaea pusilla Pursh. Curly-grass Fern. Phen: May-Jul. Hab: Moist, peaty soil in Coastal Plain bogs, often associated with Pseudolycopodiella caroliniana, Drosera filiformis, and Chamaecyparis thyoides (though not in dense Chamaecyparis stands). Dist: In acid, boggy sites in DE, NJ, NY, NL (Newfoundland), NS, and NB; a similar or possibly identical plant is known from Peru (Stolze 1987). See LeBlond & Weakley (2002) for further information on this species’ (apparently introduced) occurrence in Brunswick County, NC.
ID notes: The leaves are filiform, 1-12 cm long.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Other Comments: Spores of Schizaea have been identified in Pleistocene organic sediment from Singletary Lake (Bladen County, NC) and Rockyhock Bay (Chowan County, NC) (Whitehead 1963).
Synonymy: = C, F, FNA2, G, K1, K3, K4, NY; = n/a – RAB
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