Reflected Grapefern

Description

A perennial fern that produces a shiny green leaf (the trophophore) and a taller, erect spore-bearing spike (the sporophore). Both arise from a common stalk and can be thought of as a single, highly modified fern frond. This species tends to have a reddish brown stripe along the common stalk from the base of the trophophore stalk. Mature plants are 3-15 cm tall. B. echo produces clusters of minute, spheric gemmae at the root bases. Leaves appear in June and die in September. (Flora of North America 1993)