Taxon Report

Botrypus virginianus (L.) Michx.

rattlesnake fern

Print Report


©2003 Martin J. Lenz

Taxon Summary

Botrypus virginianus, commonly known as rattlesnake fern, is a perennial herb in the Ophioglossaceae that is found in California and elsewhere. It occurs within Bogs and fens, Lower montane coniferous forest (mesic), Meadows and seeps, and Riparian forest, growing at elevations from 715 to 1355 meters. Botrypus virginianus is ranked 2B.2, Plants Rare, Threatened, or Endangered in California, But More Common Elsewhere; Moderately threatened in California.

  Classification
Scientific Name:
 Botrypus virginianus (L.) Michx.
Common Name:
 rattlesnake fern
Family: Ophioglossaceae
Element Code: PPOPH010H0
USDA Plants Symbol:
Synonyms/Other Names:
  • Botrychium virginianum

Ecology and Life History
Lifeform: perennial herb
Blooming Period: Jun-Sep Jun-Sep
Elevation: 715-1355 (2345-4445)
General Habitats: Bogs and fens, Lower montane coniferous forest, Meadows and seeps, Riparian forest
Microhabitat: Streambanks
Microhabitat Details:

Conservation Status
CA Rare Plant Rank: 2B.2
Global Rank: G5
State Rank:
 S2
State List: None
Fed List: None
Other Status:
CRPR Changes:
  • changed from 2.2 to 2B.2 on 2013-06-12

Occurrence Data from the CNDDB
Total Occurrences: 40
Element Occurrence Ranks:
   Excellent (A) 5
   Good (B) 23
   Fair (C) 8
   Poor (D) 0
   None (X) 0
   Unknown (U) 4

Location
California Endemic:  False
California Counties and Islands: Name (Code)
Mendocino (MEN), Shasta (SHA), Siskiyou (SIS), Trinity (TRI)
Quads: Name (Quad Code)
Big Bend (4112118), Buck Rock (3912288), Burney Mtn. West (4012176), City of Mount Shasta (4112233), Covington Mill (4012287), Damnation Peak (4012285), Dunsmuir (4112223), Eaton Peak (4112238), Girard Ridge (4112222), Hagaman Gulch (4012157), Hatchet Mtn. Pass (4012177), Hennessy Peak (4012375), Jacks Backbone (4012166), Leech Lake Mtn. (3912381), Manton (4012147), Miller Mtn. (4012167), Montgomery Creek (4012178), Mumbo Basin (4112225), Roaring Creek (4012188), Rush Creek Lakes (4012278), Skunk Ridge (4112117), South China Mtn. (4112235), Tangle Blue Lake (4112226), Tombstone Mtn. (4112213), Trinity Center (4012286), Viola (4012156), Whitmore (4012168)

Threat List Data from the CNDDB

Threat List Total: 7
EOs with Threat Listed: Total EOs % of EOs
31 78 %
Logging 31 77%
Foot traffic/trampling 2 5%
Grazing 1 2%
Insufficient population/stand size 1 2%
Other 1 2%
Road/trail construction/maint. 1 2%
Altered flood/tidal/hydrologic regime 1 2%

Notes
Threats:
Possibly threatened by logging.
Taxonomy:
Not in TJM (1993).

Selected References

Botrypus virginianus profile for potential Species of Conservation Concern evaluation (2022)
Citation California Native Plant Society, Rare Plant Program. 2026. Rare Plant Inventory (online edition, v9.5.1). Website https://www.rareplants.cnps.org [accessed 11 August 2026].