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Spoon-leaf Moonwort - Botrychium spathulatum
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One of the rarest moonwort species in Montana, currently reported from 2 sites in northwest Montana. Population levels at these sites are undocumented.
General Description
Spoon-leaf Moonwort produces a single erect frond, up to 12 cm high, that is divided into a trophophore and a sporophore. The trophophore has a stalk, less than 1 mm long, and a narrowly triangular blade that is pinnately divided into 2-8 pairs of spoon-shaped, widely spaced, entire to lobed pinnae. The sporophore is 1-2 times the length of the trophophore and 1-2 times pinnately divided into linear segments that bear the spores.
Phenology
Leaves appearing in late spring-early summer.
Diagnostic Characteristics
Botrychium subgenus Botrychium is a large group of very similar species in our area, many of which are newly described. A technical manual should be consulted for positive identification. This species is similar to B. minganense, B. ascendens , and B. crenulatum , but the latter three have oval to fan-shaped pinnae. Botrychium lunaria is also similar but has pinnae that are closely adjacent.
Species Range
Montana Range
Range Descriptions
Native
Range Comments
In MT in Glacier and Lake counties; in western North America from AK tand NT south through BC and AB to northwestern MT, in eastern North America WI and MI east through ON, QC and NB (Donald Farrar, Iowa State University, unpublished ms.).
Observations in Montana Natural Heritage Program Database
Number of Observations: 3
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Relative Density
Recency
(Observations spanning multiple months or years are excluded from time charts)
Habitat
Meadows and open forests, often in areas of moderate disturbance or sparsely vegetated soil in the valley and montane zones.
References
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