Question: This fern was found on a rocky outcrop near Delmar NY. I thought that it looked like a fern I …
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Question
This fern was found on a rocky outcrop near Delmar NY. I thought that it looked like a fern I sent to you last week, that you suggested was a Cystopteris bulbifera. I do not see the bulblets on the underside of the leaf, although I checked several fronds. Would you always expect to see a bulblet on a frond in C. bulbifera? Or is there another ID for this? Thanks
Answer
Dear Auntie, the bulblets form a bit later after the leaves emerge. In other words, you should see them eventually on the leaf blades. If you don't later in the summer, it is doubtful the ferns were Cystopteris bulbifera. If you can get an image of the underside of the leaf to show the sori, it would be very helpful to confirm the identification. Best wishes.
