Spathulate Botrychium: A Rare Northern Fern Worth Protecting
If you’re wandering through the cool forests of northern regions and spot a peculiar little plant with what looks like a tiny spoon-shaped leaf topped by a separate spike, you might have just discovered one of North America’s more elusive ferns: the spathulate botrychium (Botrychium spathulatum). This fascinating perennial fern is far from your typical garden variety plant, and there are some important things every nature lover should know about it.
What Makes This Fern Special?
The spathulate botrychium gets its name from its distinctive spatulate (spoon-shaped) sterile frond that emerges from the ground alongside a separate fertile spike bearing the spores. Unlike the large, showy ferns you might be familiar with, this little character rarely grows taller than a few inches and has a decidedly understated appearance that makes it easy to overlook.
As a member of the moonwort family, this fern has a unique growth pattern and lifecycle that sets it apart from other woodland plants. It’s a true perennial that can live for many years, though individual plants may not appear above ground every season.
Where You’ll Find Spathulate Botrychium
This remarkable fern is native to the cooler regions of North America, including Alaska, Canada, and several northern U.S. states. You can find populations scattered across Alberta, British Columbia, Alaska, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Yukon, Northwest Territories, Michigan, Montana, and Wisconsin.
A Word of Caution: Rarity Matters
Here’s where things get serious. Spathulate botrychium has a Global Conservation Status of S3, which means it’s considered vulnerable throughout its range. This classification indicates that the species is either very rare and local, found only in restricted areas, or faces other factors that make it vulnerable to disappearing entirely. With typically only 21 to 100 known occurrences and between 3,000 to 10,000 individuals worldwide, this isn’t a plant to take lightly.
What this means for gardeners: Please don’t attempt to dig up or collect spathulate botrychium from the wild. Not only is this harmful to already vulnerable populations, but these ferns are notoriously difficult to transplant and rarely survive outside their natural habitat.
Why This Fern Is So Finicky
Even if conservation weren’t a concern, spathulate botrychium would still be one of the most challenging plants to grow in cultivation. These ferns have very specific requirements:
- They need cool, moist conditions similar to their native northern habitats
- They require specific soil conditions and drainage
- Most importantly, they depend on complex relationships with soil fungi (mycorrhizae) that are nearly impossible to replicate in garden settings
- They’re adapted to USDA hardiness zones 2-6, preferring consistently cool temperatures
Appreciating Spathulate Botrychium Responsibly
The best way to enjoy this remarkable fern is to appreciate it in its natural setting. If you’re lucky enough to spot one during a woodland hike, take a moment to observe its unique form and consider the complex ecosystem relationships that allow it to thrive.
For gardeners interested in native ferns, consider these more sustainable alternatives that can provide similar woodland charm:
- Common moonwort (other Botrychium species that are more stable)
- Native wood ferns appropriate to your region
- Other local woodland perennials that support the same ecosystem functions
The Bigger Picture
While spathulate botrychium might not offer the typical pollinator benefits of flowering plants, it plays important roles in its native ecosystem. As with many rare species, its presence often indicates a healthy, intact woodland environment that supports numerous other native plants and wildlife.
Rather than trying to bring this fern into our gardens, perhaps the spathulate botrychium’s greatest gift to us is reminding us of the importance of preserving the wild spaces where such remarkable and vulnerable species can continue to thrive. Sometimes the most responsible thing we can do as gardeners is simply to admire from afar and work to protect the habitats that sustain these botanical treasures.
Next time you’re exploring northern woodlands, keep an eye out for that distinctive little spoon-shaped frond – you might just be witnessing one of nature’s more exclusive performances.
