bulblet fern
ExplorePlants
bulblet fern
Cystopteris bulbifera
The bulblet fern is a small, leafy plant that grows in shady places. It has tiny bulbs that can grow into new ferns, making it special and fun to find in the wild!
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The bulblet fern has delicate, bright green fronds that are twice-divided, giving them a lacy appearance. Its slender, often reddish stems support many small, lime-green bulblets found on the underside of the fronds, making it visually distinct from other ferns.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPolypodiopsidaOrderPolypodialesFamilyCystopteridaceaeGenusCystopteris
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It doesn't have flowers or seeds, but spreads using dust-like spores and tiny plantlets!
Its name, *Cystopteris*, means 'bladder fern' because of its unique spore covers!
The bulblet fern loves to grow on rocky cliffs, often hanging upside down!
This fern can grow directly from tiny plantlets that fall off its leaves!
Special abilities
Ability
Bulblet Power
Bulblet fern can grow new plants from tiny bulblets that drop off its fronds, helping it spread easily without seeds.
Ability
Rock Hugger
Bulblet fern has strong rhizomes that anchor it firmly to rocky cliffs, helping it thrive in seemingly impossible places.
Ability
Spore Shower
Bulblet fern releases microscopic spores from its fronds, which can travel by wind to start new ferns far away.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-90 cm
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Ecological connections
eaten by
White-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Deer may browse its fronds.
eaten by
Black slug
Arion ater
Slugs may graze on its delicate fronds.
shelters
Red wood ant
Formica rufa
Ants might find cover among its fronds.
Traits
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch wild plants without asking an adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is bulblet fern?
30-90 cm
Is bulblet fern edible?
No
Is bulblet fern toxic?
None
What is bulblet fern's lifecycle?
Perennial
Where is bulblet fern usually found?
Forests
Snap Map
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