Cystopteris protrusa
(Cystopteris fragilis var. protrusa)

Lowland Brittle Fern, Lowland Bladder Fern, Lowland Fragile Fern

[ click on any image below to see larger version ]

Family: Cystopteridaceae (Bladder Fern family)

Mid-Atlantic bloom time: April - June

When examining the spore-bearing structures (sori) on the underside of the fronds of young Lowland Brittle Fern, you might see specialized protective flaps (indusia) which are roundish, thin, and attached to one side of the sori, arching over them when young, like pockets or badders (hence one of its common names), with the pocket openings facing the tip of the pinnules or lobes. These indusia will wither as the sori matures, so they might not be visible in older plants.

19 March 2024 Riverbend Park, Great Falls, VA	19 March 2024 Riverbend Park, Great Falls, VA	2 June 2024 Riverbend Park, Great Falls, VA	2 June 2024 Riverbend Park, Great Falls, VA (showing sori on underside of pinnea)
9 November 2021 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA	9 November 2021 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA	9 November 2021 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA	13 November 2021 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA
13 November 2021 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA (underside showing spore structures)	13 November 2021 Manassas National Battlefield Park, Manassas, VA (underside showing spore structures)

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