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Botrychium pallidum — pale moonwort

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Facts

Pale moonwort has a limited and sporadic distribution in North America. In New England it is found only in a single location in Washington County, Maine, in an open field. As its name suggests, this species is whitish-green to pale green.

Habitat

Anthropogenic (man-made or disturbed habitats), meadows and fields

New England distribution

Adapted from BONAP data

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North America distribution

Adapted from BONAP data

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Characteristics

Habitat
terrestrial
New England state
Maine
Show all characteristics
  • Leaves

    Features of leaves
    there are no special features on the leaves
  • Place

    Habitat
    terrestrial
    New England state
    Maine
    Specific habitat
    • man-made or disturbed habitats
    • meadows or fields

Wetland status

Not classified

In New England

Distribution

Connecticut
absent
Maine
present
Massachusetts
absent
New Hampshire
absent
Rhode Island
absent
Vermont
absent

Conservation status

Exact status definitions can vary from state to state. For details, please check with your state.

Maine
extremely rare (S-rank: S1), endangered (code: E)

From Flora Novae Angliae dichotomous key

10.  Botrychium pallidum W.H. Wagner NC

pale moonwort. ME; single location in Washington County, ME. Open fields.

Native to North America?

Yes

Sometimes confused with

Botrychium minganense:
plants green to yellow-green or blue-green in life, and the lower vegetative leaflets entire to crenate or lobed, when lobed, the lobes usually +/- equal (vs. B. pallidum, with plants pale glaucous-green to white-green in life, and the lower vegetative leaflets frequently cleft into 2 unequal lobes with the upper lobe larger).

Genus

Botrychium