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Botrychium virginianum
  • Rattlesnake Fern

an evergreen member of the Botrychium genus in the family Ophioglossaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • ?
    Unknown
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Botrychium virginianum has 0 edible uses listed
Botrychium virginianum has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[1]. 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[2].

Edible uses

Notes

This large succulent fern is boiled and eaten in the Himalayas[3]. The report does not say which part of the plant is used, though it is probably the root[K].

Root

Unknown use

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Botrychium virginianum.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

A poultice or lotion made from the roots is applied to snakebites, bruises, cuts and sores[4][5]. A tea made from the roots is emetic, induces sweating and is expectorant[4]. It is used in the treatment of lung ailments[4][5].

Unknown part

Diaphoretic
Emetic
Expectorant
Pectoral
Poultice

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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[1].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Botrychium virginianum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a sandy loam with just a small portion of peat[6]. Requires sharp drainage[6]. Best grown in an open position[6]. 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[1].

Unlike most species of ferns, the fronds of this species grow up straight and not curled inward, crozier fashion[7].

Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[8].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Botrychium virginianum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Botrychium virginianum.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Botrychium virginianum
Genus
Botrychium
Family
Ophioglossaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[3]
Medicinal uses
[4][5]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[1][9]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    ?
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    0.4 x meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

    "image:Botrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Botrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Botrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Botrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Botrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Botrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Botrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Botrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Botrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Botrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Botrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Botrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Botrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    2. ? Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest. ()
    3. ? 3.03.1 Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications ISBN 0-486-20459-6 (1972-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.2 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    7. ? Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    8. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    9. ? [Flora of N. America] ()

    "image:Botrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Botrychium_virginianum&oldid=75651"
    Facts about "Botrychium virginianum"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyOphioglossaceae +
    Belongs to genusBotrychium +
    Has binomial nameBotrychium virginianum +
    Has common nameRattlesnake Fern +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has edible partRoot +
    Has edible useUnknown use +
    Has imageBotrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG +
    Has mature height0.4 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useDiaphoretic +, Emetic +, Expectorant +, Pectoral + and Poultice +
    Has primary imageBotrychium virginianum spore-producing frond.JPG +
    Has search namebotrychium virginianum + and rattlesnake fern +
    Has shade toleranceLight shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameBotrychium virginianum +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenEvergreen +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Botrychium virginianum +, Botrychium virginianum +, Botrychium virginianum +, Botrychium virginianum +, Botrychium virginianum + and Botrychium virginianum +