Male Fern (Dryopteris filix-mas). 1. Frond. 2. Diagramatic sketch illustrating characteristic oblong-lanceolate outline of the frond. 3. Pinna illustrating serrate edges of segments.

MALE FERN
(Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott.)

This plant is not especially common in Mount Rainier National Park. Locally its characteristic habitat is in moist woods. Although its altitudinal range has not, as yet, been definitely determined for the park area it may be assumed that one will encounter it throughout the timbered zones of this area. Botanically its range is almost world wide. It is found from Alaska to California and East to the Atlantic, in Mexico, Greenland, Europe, Africa and South America.

The fronds are herbaceous, tufted, deep green and firm in texture. They are from 12-48 inches long, 4-12 inches wide, oblong-lanceolate in outline and once compound. The larger pinnae possess short stalks and their segments are serrate, particularly at the apex, with oblique teeth. The leafstalk is rather stout, about 1/4 the length of the frond, scaly and green to brown in color.

The name is from the latin (Frye) "filix" - Fern, and "mas" - man. The term was used by early botanist in distinguishing it from one of its associates, the Lady Fern (Athyrium filix-femina).

SYNONYMS: Aspidium filix-mas Sw.; Nephrodium filix-mas Rich.; Polypodium filix-mas L.; Lastrea filix-mas Presl.; Thelypteris filix-mas Nieuwl.

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BRITTLE FERN.
(Cyrstopteris fragilis (L.) Bernh.)

The slender, fragile leafstalks account for the common name of this fern which, though it is not common in the park, is often encountered in the upper Canadian and lower Hudsonian regions. It does not show any marked preference in habitat except that it is most generally found growing about boulders or angular rocks in the soil and occasionally in talus slopes. The soil is generally fairly moist and well drained where this plant is found. Botanically, its range is very wide, the Brittle Fern being one of the most widely distributed ferns in the entire world. It occurs throughout the northern hemisphere and in North America its range is bounded by Alaska and Greenland on the north and on the south by California, Arizona, New Mexico, Alabama and Georgia. Locally it occurs from 2500' to 6000'.

The Brittle Fern has a fragile or delicate appearance. Its fronds rise in a loose spreading tuft, each frond describing a graceful arch. The fronds are from 4-16 inches long, ovate-lanceolate in general outline being from 1-3 inches wide with the widest portion at the base. Fronds are 1-2 compound. The pinnae are short stalked, ovate-lanceolate in outline and widest at the base with rounded teeth on the margin of the pinnules. The spores are borne in sori that are round and, though small, are conspicuous on the under side of the pinnules. The leafstalk is slender, fragile and brittle, nearly as long as is the foliate portion of the frond and straw colored.

SYNONYMS: Polyodium fragile L.; Filix fragilis Gilib.; Aspidium tenue Sw.

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GRAPE FERN.
(Botrychium Spp.)

These plants are comparatively rare in Mount Rainier National Park and are seldom found unless a specific search is made for them. Their small size and the manner in which associated vegetation tends to obscure them from view enhances their rarity. Locally the Grape Ferns - of which there are three species listed as native to the park area - are found in deep moist to swampy woods. While the tree species vary in appearance they all have the characteristic grape-like buncdh of sporangia, which is borne upon a leafless branch and which arises from some point on the slender stalk. This character accounts for the common name. The foliar portion of the plant bears leaves that are one to three compound which are, in turn, divided into numerous segments.

In the field key (see page 12) a distinction is made between the three species indigneous to Mount Rainier National Park.

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