MONTGOMERY, JAMES D. Ecology III, Berwick, PA 18603. - Conservation Status of the Ophioglossaceae in the Northeast.
In the northeast region of the United States the Ophioglossaceae are
represented by 12 species of Botrychium and 3 species of
Ophioglossum. Botrychium includes 6 species of
moonworts (subgenus Botrychium), 5 species of grapeferns
(Sceptridium), and rattlesnake fern (Osmundopteris). No species is
federally listed as threatened or endangered. Five species of
Botrychium and all 3 species of Ophioglossum are listed
as endangered, threatened or vulnerable in one or more states. All of
these represent species at or near their geographic range limits.
Some are probably more common than recognized because of their small
size and the disappearance of the single leaf produced in a year due
to herbivory.
Key words: Botrychium, conservation, Northeast U. S., Ophioglossum