Question: These two ferns/plants were found clinging to a rock wall beside a waterfall in upstate NY. I'm just getting started …
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Question
These two ferns/plants were found clinging to a rock wall beside a waterfall in upstate NY. I'm just getting started learning my ferns and any advice would be helpful. Thank You,
Answer
Dear Auntie, you have photographed two different species. The first one, growing out from the open crack of the rock, is a species of Cystopteris (fragile fern), likely Cystopteris bulbifera (bulbil fragile fern). The other fern is a species of Asplenium (spleenwort), likely Asplenium quadrivalens (common maidenhair spleenwort). Both of these species grow on high pH rocks and cliffs. Best wishes.
