Fragrant Cliff Fern. Summary. Protection Endangered in New York State, not listed federally.

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1 Fragrant Cliff Fern Dryopteris fragrans Scientific Name Family Name Dryopteris fragrans (L.) Schott Dryopteridaceae Wood-fern Family Did you know? This is the smallest of our North American wood ferns. The fragrance, which some people liken to primrose, comes from the tiny glandular hairs on the fronds. The New York plants are at the southeastern limit of the species range. Photo credits: Troy Weldy Summary Protection Endangered in New York State, not listed federally. This level of state protection means: listed species are those with: 1) 5 or fewer extant sites, or 2) fewer than 1,000 individuals, or 3) restricted to fewer than 4 U.S.G.S. 7 ½ minute topographical maps, or 4) species listed as endangered by U.S. Department of Interior. Rarity G5, S1S2 A global rarity rank of G5 means: This species is demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. A state rarity rank of S1S2 means: Critically Imperiled or Imperiled in New York - Especially or very vulnerable to disappearing from New York due to rarity or other factors; typically 20 or fewer populations or locations in New York, very few individuals, very restricted range, few remaining acres (or miles of stream), and/or steep declines. More information is needed to assign a single conservation status. Conservation Status in New York There are four known populations and at least ten historical populations. These historical locations are in the Adirondacks in areas that have likely remained unchanged since the plants were last reported. Surveys focused on these areas will likely lead to the rediscovery of these populations. Few threats are known for this plant, mainly because it is found in relatively difficult to access areas. NYNHP Conservation Guide - Fragrant Cliff Fern (Dryopteris fragrans)

2 Short-term Trends Some of these sites have been visited/known for many years. The trend seems stable for most populations. Long-term Trends There are 10 historical sites but many of them have not been checked so an accurate picture of the long-term trend has not been possible. The sites are isolated so there probably has not been a great deal of change. Conservation and Management Threats The sites are isolated so there is very little human threat. The plants are at the southern extreme of the range so they may be threatened in the future by global warming. The Catskill populations are located on north-facing cliff faces near waterfalls. If ice climbing becomes more popular, we could see an impact on these populations. Conservation Strategies and Management Practices Research Needs There are no management needs at this time. There are no research needs at this time except to follow-up on some of the historical populations. Surveys should be conducted at Avalanche Pass, Cascade Lakes, Indian Lake, Joy Mountain, Mount Immortelle, Panther Mountain, and Wilmington Notch. Habitat This fern prefers cool, moist sandstone cliff faces, often near waterfalls; or dry shaded cliffs (New York Natural Heritage Program 2004). Shaded cliffs and talus, often on limestone (Flora of North America 1993). Cliff-crevices, often on limestone (Gleason and Cronquist 1991). Dry cliffs, rocky banks, and talus slopes, usually limy and with a northern exposure (Cobb 1984). Dry cliffs and rocky banks, often calcareous (Fernald 1970). Associated Ecological Communities Cliff Community A community that occurs on vertical exposures of resistant, non-calcareous bedrock (such as quartzite, sandstone, or schist) or consolidated material; these cliffs often include ledges and small areas of talus. Other Probable Associated Communities Shale cliff and talus community NYNHP Conservation Guide - Fragrant Cliff Fern (Dryopteris fragrans) 2

3 Associated Species Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) Lyre-leaved Rockcress (Arabidopsis lyrata) Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes) Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis) Sweet Birch (Betula lenta) Bulblet Fern (Cystopteris bulbifera) Brittle Bladderfern (Cystopteris fragilis) Northern Bush-honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera) Northern Oak Fern (Gymnocarpium dryopteris) Marchantia polymorpha Prickly Gooseberry (Ribes cynosbati) Skunk Currant (Ribes glandulosum) Wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius) Eastern Hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) Identification Comments This is a very attractive fern that grows from the sides of wet cliffs. The graceful, drooping, evergreen leaves arise from a few to many dead brown leaves at the base. They grow up to 30 cm long and 6 cm broad and narrow to the base and the tip. There are pairs of leaflets that are twice-divided and covered with glands. The leaf stalk is covered with shining brown to reddish scales. The spore packets are arranged in circles on the bottom of the leaves and are covered with a kidney shaped flap of tissue (indusium). Sometimes they become so numerous the bottom of the leaves appear chocolate-colored. Best Life Stage for Identifying This Species Only the fronds are needed to identify this fern, but fresh fronds with sori are best. The Best Time to See This fern may remain green year-round with spores present during the summer and fall. Surveys are best conducted during the summer since many plants are located near waterfalls, cliff faces, and steep slopes that are ice and snow-covered in the winter. Vegetative Fruiting Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec The time of year you would expect to find Fragrant Cliff Fern in New York. NYNHP Conservation Guide - Fragrant Cliff Fern (Dryopteris fragrans) 3

4 Similar Species A relatively unique fern within the Dryopteris genus. Some may confuse this fern with Woodsia which has an inferior indusium and a blade that does not taper near the base. Also, there are no aromatic glands on Woodsia. Conservation Comments This fern is not closely related to any of the many other Dryopteris species present in North America. Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Plantae Filicinophyta Class Ferns (Filicopsida) Order Filicales Family Additional Common Names Fragrant Cliff Wood-fern Fragrant Fern Fragrant Shield Fern Fragrant Wood Fern Dryopteridaceae (Wood-fern Family) Synonyms Dryopteris fragrans var. remotiuscula (Komarov) Polypodium fragrans (L.) Thelypteris fragrans ((L.) Nieuwl.) Additional Resources Links Flora of North America New York Flora Atlas USDA Plants Database S+FRAGRANS+VAR.+REMOTIUSCULA NatureServe Explorer ANS+VAR+REMOTIUSCULA Google Images NYNHP Conservation Guide - Fragrant Cliff Fern (Dryopteris fragrans) 4

5 Best Identification Reference Gleason, Henry A. and A. Cronquist Manual of Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York. 910 pp. References Cobb, Boughton A field guide to ferns and their related families. 281 pp.. Houghton Mifflin Co., Boston, New York. The Peterson Field Guide Series. Fernald, M.L Gray's manual of botany. 8th edition. D. Van Nostrand, New York pp. Holmgren, Noel The Illustrated Companion to Gleason and Cronquist's Manual. Illustrations of the Vascular Plants of Northeastern United States and Adjacent Canada. The New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York. Keys, Jr.,J.; Carpenter, C.; Hooks, S.; Koenig, F.; McNab, W.H.; Russell, W.;Smith, M.L Ecological units of the eastern United States - first approximation (cd-rom), Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. GIS coverage in ARCINFO format, selected imagery, and map unit tables. Mitchell, Richard S. and Gordon C. Tucker Revised Checklist of New York State Plants. Contributions to a Flora of New York State. Checklist IV. Bulletin No New York State Museum. Albany, NY. 400 pp. NatureServe NatureServe Central Databases. Arlington, Virginia. USA New York Natural Heritage Program Biotics database. New York Natural Heritage Program. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Albany, NY. Reschke, Carol Ecological communities of New York State. New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Latham, NY. 96 pp. plus xi. Weldy, T. and D. Werier New York flora atlas. [S.M. Landry, K.N. Campbell, and L.D. Mabe (original application development), Florida Center for Community Design and Research University of South Florida New York Flora Association Albany, New York New York Natural Heritage Program 625 Broadway, 5th Floor, Albany, NY Phone: (518) acris@nynhp.org This project is made possible with funding from: - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Hudson River Estuary Program - Division of Lands & Forests, Department of Environmental Conservation - New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Information for this guide was last updated on Aug 22, 2017 This guide was authored by NYNHP Conservation Guide - Fragrant Cliff Fern (Dryopteris fragrans) 5