Rattlesnake Fern

Description:

Usually, there are two distinct fronds: an arching divided sterile frond and an erect fertile frond. Fertile fronds arise from the base of the sterile fronds. A fertile leaf begins to develop before the sterile leaf has fully unfolded during the late spring. Spores are released from the fertile leaf during the summer. The rhizome is subterranean, erect and fleshy, with thick, fleshy roots. Clusters of sporangia on the fertile fronds look like rattles on a snake. The fern is deciduous and disappears in the winter. This specimen has a characteristic fertile frond emerging - the structure is said to resemble the rattles at the end of a rattlenake's tail, hence the name.

Habitat:

Much of North America, Europe and Asia. In Georgia, it is found mostly in the northern half of the state and sporadically in southwestern and south central areas. Moist deciduous woodlands.

Notes:

Spotted growing along the trail at the Allatoona Battlefield Pass.