Common Name:
EBONY SPLEENWORT
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Coefficient of Conservatism:
2
Coefficient of Wetness:
3
Wetness Index:
FACU
Physiognomy:
Nt Fern
R. Schipper
Fields, open forests, and forest edges, especially in sandy or loamy soils. Less commonly on boulders and rock outcrops.
This is the only spleenwort that is frequent, at least in southern Michigan, and the only one that typically occurs on soil rather than rock. Wagner & Johnson (1981) noted that in the 1950’s this was one of the rarest of Michigan ferns, but that it has increased dramatically in the last few decades to become a common old field species in southern Michigan.