E & R Pteridophytes

Pteridophytes of Iowa.

The following information is sorted in ascending order alphabetically by "Pteridophyte Family".

The following Adiantaceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name
[Eilers & Roosa]

Author
[Eilers & Roosa]

Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]

Common
Name

Family
[FNA]

Scientific
Name
[FNA]

Author
[FNA]

Subspecific
Category
[FNA]

Habitat

Abundance & Distribution

Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied

US
Native?

IA
Native?

Special
Notes

Adiantum pedatum

Northern maidenhair fern

Pteridaceae

Adiantum pedatum

Moist woods; mesic rocky slopes.

Rare in NW. Frequent in NC. Common elsewhere.

All.

Yes

Cheilanthes feei

Moore

Slender lip fern

Pteridaceae

Cheilanthes feei

Moore

Exposed, dry, limestone cliffs.

Infrequent in NE.

NE.

Yes

Cryptogramma stelleri

(Gmelin) Prantl

Slender rockbrake fern

Pteridaceae

Cryptogramma stelleri

(Gmelin) Prantl

Moist, cool ledges. Rocky slopes.

Rare NC. Infrequent NE.

NE, NC.

Yes

Pellaea atropurpurea

(L.) Link

Purple cliff-brake

Pteridaceae

Pellaea atropurpurea

(L.) Link

Dry, sandstone outcrops.

Rare NE [Allamakee Co.] & SE [Van Buren Co.].

NE, SE.

Yes

Pellaea glabella

Mett. ex Kuhn

Smooth cliff-brake

Pteridaceae

Pellaea glabella

Mett. ex Kuhn

ssp. glabella

Crevices. Dry rock cliffs.

Rare C. Common NE.

NE, C.

Yes

The following Aspleniaceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name
[Eilers & Roosa]

Author
[Eilers & Roosa]

Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]

Common
Name

Family
[FNA]

Scientific
Name
[FNA]

Author
[FNA]

Subspecific
Category
[FNA]

Habitat

Abundance & Distribution

Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied

US
Native?

IA
Native?

Special
Notes

Dryopteridaceae

Gymnocarpium jessoense

(Koidzumi) Koidzumi

ssp. parvulum Sarvela

Yes

FNA (2:261) maps this taxon from the NE corner of IA. Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant.

Asplenium platyneuron

(L.) Oakes ex D.C. Eaton

Ebony spleenwort

Aspleniaceae

Asplenium platyneuron

(L.) Britton, Sterns, & Poggenburg

Moist, rocky or sandy slopes.

Infrequent in SE. Rare in NE, EC, & SC.

NE, EC, SE, SC.

Yes

Asplenium

Walking fern

Aspleniaceae

Asplenium rhizophyllum

Humus-covered rocks in moist, wooded valleys.

Common in E. Absent in NW. Rare elsewhere.

NE, NC, EC, C, WC, SE, SC, SW.

Yes

Athyrium pycnocarpon

(Sprengel) Tidestrom

Narrow-leaved spleenwort

Dryopteridaceae

Diplazium pycnocarpon

(Sprengel) M. Brown

Moist woods.

Rare E.

NE, EC, SE.

Yes

Athyrium rhizophyllum

(L.) Roth

var. angustum (Willd.) Moore

Northern lady fern

Dryopteridaceae

Athyrium filix-femina

(L.) Mertens

var. angustum (Willd.) Lawson

Moist woods. Forest margins. Mesic prairie.

Rare in NW. Frequent to common elsewhere.

All.

Yes

Athyrium thelypterioides

(Michx.) Desv.

Silvery spleenwort

Dryopteridaceae

Deparia acrostichoides

(Sw.) Kato

Moist wooded slopes.

Infrequent to frequent in E.

NE, EC, SE.

Yes

Cystopteris X laurentiana

(Weath.) Blasdell

Northern fragile fern

Dryopteridaceae

Cystopteris laurentiana

(Weath.) Blasdell

Shaded sandstone outcrops. North-facing, rocky slopes.

Rare in NE [Allamakee, Howard, & Winneshiek Counties]

Yes

Cystopteris X laurentiana = C. bulbifera X. C. fragilis

Cystopteris X laurentiana

Shaver

Southern bladder fern

Dryopteridaceae

Cystopteris tennesseensis

Shaver

Shaded rock ledges.

Rare in E Yes/2 of state.

NE, EC, SE

Yes

Cystopteris X tennesseensis = C. bulbifera X. C. protrusa

Cystopteris bulbifera

(L.) Bernh.

Bulblet bladder fern

Dryopteridaceae

Cystopteris bulbifera

(L.) Bernh.

Dry, rocky woods. Ravines. Algific slopes.

Rare in C. Frequent to common in E.

NE, EC, C, SE

Yes

Cystopteris fragilis

(L.) Bernh.

Fragile fern

Dryopteridaceae

Cystopteris fragilis

(L.) Bernh.

Algific slopes. Shaded sandstone and quartzite outcrops.

Rare in Paleozoic Plateau, C, & NW.

NE, C, NW.

Yes

Cystopteris protrusa

(Weath.) Blasdell

Creeping fragile fern

Dryopteridaceae

Cystopteris protrusa

(Weath.) Blasdell

Wooded slopes.

Common in S. Frequent in NC. Rare in NW & NE.

NE, NC, NW, SE, SC, SW.

Yes

Cystopteris tenuis

(Michx.) Desv.

Fragile fern

Dryopteridaceae

Cystopteris tenuis

(Michx.) Desv.

Crevices of rocks in ravines. Moist woods.

Frequent in NE. Absent W. Infrequent elsewhere.

NE, NC, EC, C, SE, SC.

Yes

Dryopteris X boottii

(Tuckerman) Underw.

Boott's wood fern

Dryopteridaceae

Wooded slopes, growing with parent species.

Rare in NE [Allamakee Co. (1980)]

Yes

See 1 below. D. X bootii = D. cristata X C. intermedia.

Dryopteris X triploidea

Wherry

Hybrid wood fern

Dryopteridaceae

Dryopteris X triploidea

Wherry

Wooded slopes, growing with parent species.

Rare in NE [Allamakee, Clayton, & Dubuque Counties].

Yes

See 2 below. Dryopteris X triploidea = D. intermedia X D. carthusiana

Dryopteris X uliginosa

(A.Br.) Druce

Dryopteridaceae

Backwater marsh of Mississippi River, growing with parent species.

Rare in EC [Jackson Co. 1980]

EC.

Yes

See 3 below. D. X uliginosa = D. cristata X. D. carthusiana.

Dryopteris carthusiana

(Vill.) H.P. Fuchs

Spinulose wood fern

Dryopteridaceae

Dryopteris carthusiana

(Vill.) H.P. Fuchs

Moist humus at base of north-facing slopes.

Common in NE. Infrequent in SE. Rare in C.

NE, C, SE.

Yes

Dryopteris cristata

(L.) Gray

Crested wood fern

Dryopteridaceae

Dryopteris cristata

(L.) Gray

Acid soil. Calcareous seeps. Marshes. Fens. Alder thickets.

Rare in E Yes/2 of state.

NE, NC, EC, C, SE, SC.

Yes

Dryopteris goldiana

(Hooker) Gray

Goldie's wood fern

Dryopteridaceae

Dryopteris goldiana

(Hooker ex Goldie) Gray

Moist, north-facing slopes.

Frequent NE. Rare in C & SC.

NE, C, SC.

Yes

Dryopteris intermedia

(Willd.) Gray

Glandular wood fern

Dryopteridaceae

Dryopteris intermedia

(Muhl. ex Willd.) Gray

Moist humus at base of north-facing slopes.

Rare in C [Webster Co. (1903)] & rare in NE [Allamakee, Clayton, Dubuque Counties].

NE, C.

Yes

Dryopteris marginalis

(L.) Gray

Marginal shield fern

Dryopteridaceae

Dryopteris marginalis

(L.) Gray

Moist humus at base of north-facing slopes.

Rare in C [Hardin Co.] & rare in NE [Allamakee & Dubuque (1922) Counties]

NE, C

Yes

Gymnocarpium dryopteris

(L.) Newman

Oak fern

Dryopteridaceae

Gymnocarpium dryopteris

(L.) Newman

Cool, moist talus on north-facing, wooded slopes.

Rare in Paleozoic Plateau. Rare in C [Hardin Co.]. Rare in EC [Johnson Co. (1892)].

NE, EC, C.

Yes

Gymnocarpium robertianum

(Hoffm.) Newman

Limestone oak fern

Dryopteridaceae

Gymnocarpium robertianum

(Hoffm.) Newman

Cool, moist algific talus slopes.

Rare in NE [Allamakee, Clayton, Dubuque, & Winneshiek Counties].

Yes

Matteucia struthiopteris

(L.) Todaro

var. pensylvanica (Willd.) Morton

Ostrich fern

Dryopteridaceae

Matteucia struthiopteris

(L.) Todaro

var. pensylvanica (Willd.) Morton

Wooded alluvium. Moist wooded slopes.

Infrequent to frequent E. Rare elsewhere.

All.

Yes

Onoclea sensibilis

Sensitive fern

Dryopteridaceae

Onoclea sensibilis

Fens. Sedge meadows. Moist, sandy areas.

Frequent to common in E. Infrequent in W.

All.

Yes

Polystichum acrostichoides

(Michx.) Schott

Christmas fern

Dryopteridaceae

Polystichum acrostichoides

(Michx.) Schott

Often sandy or rocky moist, wooded slopes.

Frequent in SE. Rare in NE.

NE, SE.

Yes

Thelypteris hexagonoptera

(Michx.) Weath.

Broad beech fern

Thelypteridaceae

Phegopteris hexagonoptera

(Michx.) Fee

Moist humus on wooded slopes.

Rare to infrequent E. Rare in C [Hardin Co. (1901)].

NE, EC, SE, C.

Yes

Thelypteris palustris

Schott

var. pubescens (Lawson) Fern.

Marsh fern

Thelypteridaceae

Thelypteris palustris

Schott

var. pubescens (Lawson) Fern.

Wet, sandy slopes. Seeps. Sedge meadows. Fens.

Frequent in NE. Infrequent in C & SE.

NE, C, SE.

Yes

Thelypteris phegopteris

(L.) Slosson

Long beech fern

Thelypteridaceae

Phegopteris connectilis

(Michx.) Watt

Moist, wooded, rocky slopes.

Rare in NE [Allamakee, Delaware (1878), & Jones Counties]. Rare in SE [Muscatine Co. (1897)].

NE, SE.

Yes

Woodsia ilvensis

(L.) R. Br.

Rusty woodsia

Dryopteridaceae

Woodsia ilvensis

(L.) R. Br.

Dry, exposed rock ledges & crevices.

Rare in NE [Allamakee & Winneshiek Counties].

Yes

Woodsia obtusa

(Sprengel) Torrey

Blunt-lobed woodsia

Dryopteridaceae

Woodsia obtusa

(Sprengel) Torrey

ssp. obtusa

Exposed rock crevices. Dry woods.

Infrequent to frequent in E. Rare in C & SC.

NE, EC, C, SE, SC.

Yes

Woodsia oregana

D.C. Eaton

Oregon woodsia

Dryopteridaceae

Woodsia oregana

D.C. Eaton

ssp. cathcartiana (B.L. Robinson) Windham

Exposed Souix Quartzite. Sandstone outcrops.

Rare NW [Lyon Co.]. Rare NE [Allamakee & Winneshiek Counties].

NE, NW.

Yes

The following Azollaceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name
[Eilers & Roosa]

Author
[Eilers & Roosa]

Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]

Common
Name

Family
[FNA]

Scientific
Name
[FNA]

Author
[FNA]

Subspecific
Category
[FNA]

Habitat

Abundance & Distribution

Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied

US
Native?

IA
Native?

Special
Notes

Azollaceae

Azolla caroliniana

Willd.

Yes

See 4 below. Eilers & Roosa does not include this plant.

Azolla mexicana

Presl

Mosquito fern

Azollaceae

Azolla mexicana

Presl

Stagnant water. Shallow, sandy ponds.

Common to infrequent along Mississippi River. Rare in EC [Benton, Cedar, Johnson, & Linn Counties]. Rare in SW [Fremont Co.(1906)].

EC, SW.

Yes

The following Dennstaedtiaceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name
[Eilers & Roosa]

Author
[Eilers & Roosa]

Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]

Common
Name

Family
[FNA]

Scientific
Name
[FNA]

Author
[FNA]

Subspecific
Category
[FNA]

Habitat

Abundance & Distribution

Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied

US
Native?

IA
Native?

Special
Notes

Pteridium aquilinum

(L.) Kuhn

var. latiusculum (Desv.) Underw. ex Heller

Bracken fern

Dennstaedtiaceae

Pteridium aquilinum

(L.) Kuhn

var. latiusculum (Desv.) Underw. ex Heller

Moist, often sandy, woods & roadsides.

Common NE to rare in C & SE.

NE, C, SE.

Yes

The following Equisetaceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name
[Eilers & Roosa]

Author
[Eilers & Roosa]

Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]

Common
Name

Family
[FNA]

Scientific
Name
[FNA]

Author
[FNA]

Subspecific
Category
[FNA]

Habitat

Abundance & Distribution

Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied

US
Native?

IA
Native?

Special
Notes

Equisetum X ferrissii

Clute

Hybrid scouring-rush

Equisetaceae

Equisetum X ferrissii

Clute

Moist prairies & roadsides.

Common in NW & NC. Infrequent to frequent elsewhere.

All.

Yes

Equisetum X ferrissii =E. hyemale X E. laevigatum.

Equisetum X litorale

Kuhl. ex Rupr.

Hybrid shore horsetail

Equisetaceae

Equisetum X litorale

Kuhl. ex Rupr.

Marshes & backwaters.

Rare in N [Dickinson & Mitchell Counties]. Rare in E [ Allamakee, Clinton, Jackson, & Des Moines Counties].

NE, NC, NW, EC, SE.

Yes

Equisetum X litorale = E. arvense X E. fluviatile

Equisetum arvense

Common horsetail

Equisetaceae

Equisetum arvense

Disturbed, moist, open areas.

Common throughout the state.

All.

Yes

Equisetum fluviatile

Swamp horsetail

Equisetaceae

Equisetum fluviatile

Marshes. Pond edges. Seeps.

Rare in NE Yes/2 of state.

NE, NC, NW, EC, C, SE

Yes

Equisetum hyemale

var. affine (Desv.) Underw. ex Heller

Common scouring-rush

Equisetaceae

Equisetum hyemale

ssp. affine (Engelm.) Calder & Taylor

Roadsides. Moist banks. Lowland woods.

Frequent to common throughout the state.

All

Yes

Equisetum laevigatum

A. Br.

Smooth scouring-rush

Equisetaceae

Equisetum laevigatum

A. Br.

Dry prairies & roadsides.

Infrequent in E. Common elsewhere.

All.

Yes

Equisetum pratense

Ehrh.

Meadow horsetail

Equisetaceae

Equisetum pratense

Ehrh.

Seeps. Algific talus slopes. Sandy woods.

Frequent in NE. Rare in C & EC.

NE, EC, C.

Yes

Equisetum scirpoides

Michx.

Dwarf scouring-rush

Equisetaceae

Equisetum scirpoides

Michx.

Moist talus slopes in woodland openings.

Rare in NE [Allamakee, Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque, & Winneshiek Counties]. Rare in EC [Jackson Co.].

NE, EC.

Yes

Equisetum sylvaticum

Woodland horsetail

Equisetaceae

Equisetum sylvaticum

Seeps. Wooded areas. Sandy places. Prairie swales.

Rare in C, NE, & EC.

NE, EC, C.

Yes

The following Isoetaceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name
[Eilers & Roosa]

Author
[Eilers & Roosa]

Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]

Common
Name

Family
[FNA]

Scientific
Name
[FNA]

Author
[FNA]

Subspecific
Category
[FNA]

Habitat

Abundance & Distribution

Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied

US
Native?

IA
Native?

Special
Notes

Isoetes melanopoda

Gay & Dur.

Black-footed quillwort

Isoetaceae

Isoetes melanopoda

Gay & Dur.

Moist, sandy soil. Standing, shallow water.

Rare in EC [Clinton Co.].

EC.

Yes

The following Lycopodiaceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name
[Eilers & Roosa]

Author
[Eilers & Roosa]

Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]

Common
Name

Family
[FNA]

Scientific
Name
[FNA]

Author
[FNA]

Subspecific
Category
[FNA]

Habitat

Abundance & Distribution

Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied

US
Native?

IA
Native?

Special
Notes

Lycopodium X bartleyi

Cusick

Lycopodiaceae

Huperzia X bartleyi

Cusick

Moist, wooded, north-facing slopes. Sandstone cliffs.

Rare in NE [Allamakee & Clayton Counties].

Yes

See FNA volume 2, p. 24 under Huperzia porophila [= Lycopodium lucidulum X L. porophilum].

Lycopodium clavatum

Ground pine

Lycopodiaceae

Lycopodium clavatum

Sandy, moist, north-facing, wooded slopes.

Rare in NE [Allamakee Co.] & rare in EC [Iowa & Johnson Co.].

NE, EC.

Yes

FNA does not include this plant in IA. PLANTS database does include this plant in IA.

Lycopodium dendroideum

Michx.

Tree clubmoss

Lycopodiaceae

Lycopodium dendroideum

Michx.

Moist, north-facing, wooded talus slopes.

Rare in NE [Allamakee, Clayton, & Dubuque Counties].

NE.

Yes

Lycopodium digitatum

A. Br.

Ground cedar

Lycopodiaceae

Diphasiastrum digitata

(Dillenius ex A. Braun) Holub

Wooded, sandy, well-drained slopes.

Rare in NE and EC.

NE, EC.

Yes

Lycopodium inundatum

Bog clubmoss

Lycopodiaceae

Lycopodiella inundata

(L.) Holub.

Wet, open sand.

Rare in NE [Buchanan Co.].

Yes

FNA does not include this plant in Iowa.

Lycopodium lucidulum

Michx.

Shining clubmoss

Lycopodiaceae

Huperzia lucidula

(Michx.) Trevisan

Moist, wooded, north-facing slopes. Sandstone cliffs.

Rare in C, NE, & EC.

NE, EC, C.

Yes

Lycopodium porophilum

Lloyd & Underw.

Rock clubmoss

Lycopodiaceae

Huperzia porophila

(Lloyd & Underw.) Holub.

Moist, shaded, north-facing sandstone cliffs.

Rare in NE [Allamakee, Clayton, & Delaware (1930) Counties.

Yes

The following Marsiliaceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name
[Eilers & Roosa]

Author
[Eilers & Roosa]

Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]

Common
Name

Family
[FNA]

Scientific
Name
[FNA]

Author
[FNA]

Subspecific
Category
[FNA]

Habitat

Abundance & Distribution

Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied

US
Native?

IA
Native?

Special
Notes

Marsilea quadrifolia

European water-clover

Marsiliaceae

Marsilea quadrifolia

Shallow margins of lakes.

Rare in SE [Van Buren Co.]. Rare in SC [Decatur Co.].

SE, SC.

Marsilea vestita

Hooker & Grev.

Hairy water-clover

Marsiliaceae

Marsilea vestita

Hooker & Grev.

Vernal pools adjacent to Souix Quartzite rocks.

Rare in NW [[Lyon Co.].

NW.

Yes

The following Ophioglossaceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name
[Eilers & Roosa]

Author
[Eilers & Roosa]

Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]

Common
Name

Family
[FNA]

Scientific
Name
[FNA]

Author
[FNA]

Subspecific
Category
[FNA]

Habitat

Abundance & Distribution

Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied

US
Native?

IA
Native?

Special
Notes

Botrychium campestre

Wagner & Farrar

Prairie moonwort

Ophioglossaceae

Botrychium campestre

Wagner & Farrar

Open areas on steep loess hills. Gravel prairies.

Rare in W. Discovered in 1982.

NW, WC, SW.

Yes

See 6 below.

Botrychium dissectum

Sprengel

forma dissectum

Oblique grape fern

Ophioglossaceae

Botrychium dissectum

Sprengel

Acid soils. Sandy shores.

Infrequent in E 1/2 of state.

Yes

No "formas" listed in FNA. See 6 below.

Botrychium dissectum

Sprengel

forma obliquum (Muhl.) Fern.

Oblique grape fern

Ophioglossaceae

Botrychium dissectum

Sprengel

Acid soils. Mesic woods.

Rare in E 1/2 of state.

Yes

No "formas" listed in FNA. See 6 below.

Botrychium marticariifolium

A. Br.

Daisy-leaved moonwort

Ophioglossaceae

Botrychium marticariifolium

A. Br.

North-facing wooded slopes.

Rare in NE [Allamakee Co.].

NE.

Yes

See 6 below.

Botrychium multifidum

(Gmelin) Rupr.

Leathery grape fern

Ophioglossaceae

Botrychium multifidum

(Gmelin) Rupr.

Sandy upland woods. Moist sand. Sedge meadows.

Rare in NE [Allamakee, Buchanan, Clayton, Dubuque, Fayette (1893), & Winneshiek Counties]. Rare in EC [Linn Co.].

NE, EC.

Yes

See 5 & 6 below.

Botrychium simplex

E. Hitchc.

Little grape fern

Ophioglossaceae

Botrychium simplex

E. Hitchc.

Open, moist, sandy areas.

Rare in C [Marshall Co.]. Rare in EC [Linn Co.]. Rare in NE [Black Hawk Co.].

NE, EC, C.

Yes

See 6 below.

Botrychium virginianum

(L.) Sw.

Rattlesnake fern

Ophioglossaceae

Botrychium virginianum

(L.) Sw.

Alluvial woods. Moist, wooded slopes. Uplands.

Common in E. Frequent in W.

All.

Yes

See 6 below.

Ophioglossum pusillum

Raf.

Northern adder's-tongue

Ophioglossaceae

Ophioglossum pusillum

Raf.

Sandy woods. Sedge meadows. Calcareous seeps.

Rare in C, NE, & EC.

NE, EC, C.

Yes

The following Osmundaceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name
[Eilers & Roosa]

Author
[Eilers & Roosa]

Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]

Common
Name

Family
[FNA]

Scientific
Name
[FNA]

Author
[FNA]

Subspecific
Category
[FNA]

Habitat

Abundance & Distribution

Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied

US
Native?

IA
Native?

Special
Notes

Osmunda cinnamomea

Cinnamon fern

Osmundaceae

Osmunda cinnamomea

Seeps. Sandy, wooded slopes.

Rare in E. [Clayton (1945), Delaware, Henry (1938), Jackson (1905), & Muscatine Counties.]

NE, EC, SE.

Yes

Osmunda claytoniana

Interrupted fern

Osmundaceae

Osmunda claytoniana

Moist humus of wooded, north-facing slopes. Dry woods.

Frequent in E. Infrequent in C.

NE, EC, SE, C.

Yes

Osmunda regalis

var. spectabilis (Willd.) Gray

Royal fern

Osmundaceae

Osmunda regalis

var. spectabilis (Willd.) Gray

Sandy marshes. Seeps. Fens.

Rare in E [Allamakee, Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Jones, & Muscatine Counties].

NE, EC, SE.

Yes

The following Polypodiaceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name
[Eilers & Roosa]

Author
[Eilers & Roosa]

Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]

Common
Name

Family
[FNA]

Scientific
Name
[FNA]

Author
[FNA]

Subspecific
Category
[FNA]

Habitat

Abundance & Distribution

Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied

US
Native?

IA
Native?

Special
Notes

Polypodium virginianum

Common polypody fern

Polypodiaceae

Polypodium virginianum

Crevices in shaded, rocky slopes.

Absent in SW & S. Rare to infrequent elsewhere.

NE, NC, NW, EC, C, WC.

Yes

The following Selaginellaceae are native or naturalized in Iowa.

Scientific
Name
[Eilers & Roosa]

Author
[Eilers & Roosa]

Subspecific Category
[Eilers & Roosa]

Common
Name

Family
[FNA]

Scientific
Name
[FNA]

Author
[FNA]

Subspecific
Category
[FNA]

Habitat

Abundance & Distribution

Geographic Areas of
Iowa Occupied

US
Native?

IA
Native?

Special
Notes

Selaginella eclipes

Buck

Meadow spikemoss

Selaginellaceae

Selaginella eclipes

Buck

Edges of sandy seeps in open pastures. Sandy margins of fens.

Rare in SE [Muscatine Co.]. Rare in NC [Worth Co.].

NC, SE.

Yes

Original wording is "Rare se: MUS & WOR". I annotated to include rare in NC.

Selaginella rupestris

(L.) Spring

Rock spikemoss

Selaginellaceae

Selaginella rupestris

(L.) Spring

Exposed limestone ridges. Open rock outcrops. Sandy prairies.

Rare in extreme NW. Rare in NE & SE.

NE, NW, SE.

Yes

A total of 72 pteriodphytes were recorded from the state of Iowa by Eilers & Roosa [1994].

1. Dryopteris X boottii is acknowledged in FNA volume 2, p. 81. FNA lists this as a sterile hybrid, however, the name Dryopteris X bootii is not specifically mentioned.

2. Dryopteris X triploidea is listed in FNA [volume 2, pp. 281-282.], but not recognized as being present in IA.

3. Dryopteris X uliginosa is acknowledged in FNA [volume 2, p. 281], but the name Dryopteris X uliginosa is not specifically mentioned.

4. Azolla caroliniana, included in FNA [volume 2, p. 341], is shown to be present in Iowa according to the map, but is omitted from Iowa according to the written distribution.

5. Eilers & Roosa state Botrychium multifidum is rare in NE and lists it as present in Linn County, hence the addition of the "rare in EC" remark under Abundance & Distribution.

6. Botrychium in Iowa

Plants of Iowa Homepage

Return to the Previous Page