A small Vittaria appalachiana gametophyte mixed with a bryophyte.
A mass of gemma-bearing Vittaria appalachiana gametophytes in a rock crevice.
If you look closely, you can see the fringe of gemmae around the edges of the thalloid gametophytes. These are very close-in photographs: the filaments in the second picture are probably less than 1 mm across, I’d estimate. Many thanks to Tim Draude for showing us the site.
Observation Data
Classification & Common Names
- Class: Polypodiopsida
- Family: Pteridaceae
- Genus: Vittaria Sm.
- Species: Vittaria appalachiana Farrar & Mickel
- Var./Subsp.:
- Common name(s):
General Observation Data
- Date: 21-VII-2012
- Habitat: Crevices in schist
- Habit: Lithophyte
Additional Comments
Photographs taken during a fern foray led by Tim Draude. These gametophytes were growing in a dark overhang in Octoraro schist.
Location
- Location: – Airville – York County – Pennsylvania – United States.
- Coordinates: 39 48' 45"N, 76 19' 50"W
- Elevation: 60 m
Very nice. One of my favorite taxa.