Botrypus Richard. Rattlesnake Fern.
A genus of 1 (as currently recognized), or more likely, 3-15 species, perennial herb(s), of Eurasia, the Americas, and Australia. Zhang et al. (2020) removed Sahashia Li Bing Zhang & Liang Zhang (a monotypic genus of e. Asia) from Botrypus, rendering Botrypus monophyletic (for now). There is increasing evidence, morphological and molecular, that additional species should be recognized (Zhang et al. 2020; Zhang & Zhang 2022).
ID notes:Botrypus has a large, very finely divided sterile leaf blade distinguishing it from all other Ophioglossaceae except perhaps the more dissected forms of Sceptridium dissectum. Botrypus has a bright green color, unlike Sceptridium species, with their dark green, grayish, purple, or bronze colors, and thinner leaf texture than the thick and rubbery leaves of Sceptridium.
Ref: Hauk, Parks, & Chase (2003); PPG I (2016); Wagner & Wagner (1993) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (1993b); Zhang & Sahashi in FoC (2013); Zhang & Zhang (2022); Zhang et al. (2020). Show full citations.
See something wrong or missing on about Botrypus? Let us know here: (Please include your name and email if at all complicated so we can clarify if needed.)
Cite as...