Appalachian Lady Fern [edits of 07 & 15 December 2023], [Athyrium asplenioides forma subtripinnatum] - Athyrium appalchensis [proposed]
LEAVES: clustered at the end of subterranean stem; erect; yellowish-green to green; 8-12 inches wide, 16-28 inches long; wide-based triangle in outline; thrice divided ; sub-leaflets (pinnules) shallowly lobed, lobes bluntly pointed; interior sub-leaflets (pinnules) of basal leaflets (pinnae) remain [nearly] constant in size, are not [greatly] reduced ; each leaflet (pinnule) has its corresponding upper (acroscopic) and lower (basioscopic) sub-leaflets (pinnules) of similar length. PETIOLES: yellowish-green to green; grooved on the upper surface. SORI: curved. HABITAT: [initially] known so far only from Macon County, North Carolina at elevations above 4,500 feet - except where associated with a waterfall; mesic conditions, along a mountain spring in a mature woodland; a woodland edge near a bald; a grassy verge to a bald; beside a waterfall. [now known from several high-elevation sites of the Appalachians/Smoky Mountains/Blue Ridge across several States]
1st record: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/90300543 - 3,400 feet, Dry Falls, North Carolina
2nd record: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/90888195 - same as above
3rd record: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/97995288 - 5,200 feet, Wayah Bald
4th record: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127890150 - 5,200 feet Wayah Bald vicinity
Summary of my observations of this fern
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/100008267 - 4,380 feet, Brasstown Bald, Georgia
- - - - - - - -
Observations by others
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/88842758 - 2,000 feet, Oakland, Maryland
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/129604373 - Ohiopyle State Park, Pennsylvania (alas, details obscured)
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/131128852 - West Virginia (alas, details are obscured)
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/171071244 - 4,800 feet Gatlingurb, Tennessee
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/164191431 - 4,200 feet, Gatlinburg, Tennessee
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/125238299 - 3,200 feet, Bristol, Tennessee
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/180776473 - 3,100 feet, north slope, Bell County, Kentucky
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/170094398 - 3,100 feet, north slope, Bell County, Kentucky
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/126326960 - 5,590 feet, Balsam Grove, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/83394910 - 5,600 feet, Black Mountain, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127263491 - 6,500 feet, Mount Mitchell, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/93634460 - 3,250 feet, Linville Falls, (north slope) North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/83394910 - 5,500 feet, Bullhead Gap, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/98342552 - 5,800 feet, Craggy Dome, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/102023652 - 5,100 feet, Elk Knob State Park, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/123848366 - 4,600 feet, West Jefferson, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/132735366 - 5,000 feet, Ashe County, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31430347 - 3,500 feet, Warrensville, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/118915715 - 3,200 feet, Weaverville, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/29108755 - 5,700 feet, Maggie Valley, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/161610333 - 4,700 feet, Jackson County, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/81984403 - 5,300 feet, Sylva, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/82222365 - 6,200 feet, Devil's Courthouse, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127670225 - 5,950 feet, Devil's Courthouse, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/163753926 - 5,000 feet, Devil's Courthouse, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/171159140 - 3,700 feet Wildcat Rock Overlook, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/172491778 - 5,700 feet, Bakersville, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/27522568 - 5,700 feet, Mitchell County, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/174356754 - 2,000 feet, Chimney Rock, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/177662707 - 4,000 feet, Highlands, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/178222677 - 6,200 feet, Burnsville, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/182327721 - 6,400 feet, Clingman's Dome, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/176279971 - 3,900 feet, Fraser's Ridge, Lansing, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/120180589 - 2,000 feet, Hendersonville, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/120180247 - 2,000 feet, Hendersonville, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/92151025 - 3,860 feet, Madison County, Virginia
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/6716820 - 3,450 feet, Beaverdam Gap, Virginia
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/9054125 - 5,300 feet, Mouth of Wilson, Virginia
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/96520028 - 4,100 feet, Grayson County Virginia
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/126428439 - 3,900 feet, Mt Rogers, Virginia
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/179173966 - 4,600 feet, Mt Rogers, Virginia
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/89975978 - 5,500 feet, Whitecap Mountain, Virginia
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/172913252 - 3,300 feet, Luray, Virginia
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/12825314 - Rock Castle Gorge, Virginia (details obscured)
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/156118755 - Cloudland Canyon State Park, Georgia (details obscured)
Comments
Flora of West Virginia second edition mentions in description of Athyrium aspleniodes "Forma subtripinnatum (almost tripinnate) has the pinnules so deeply cut as to appear almost tripinnate; the blade is up to 4 dm. broad. Also throughout the state but less common"
@ccantley - Thank you.
@ccantley
It would be nice to
have/see confirmed examples of Athyrium asplenioides forma subtrpinnatum
have ploidy counts of Athyrium asplenioides forma subtripinnatum in comparison to those of Athyrium asplenioides
It has so far been my experience that the thrice-divided Athryium in Macon County occur in distinctly mesic and cool habitats either by high elevation and north exposure, or in a shaded floodplain of a mountain stream at high elevation, or in the spray zone of a huge waterfall. The typical form of Athyrium asplenioides only requires shaded mesic conditions, irregardless of compass direction of slope exposure, or elevation.
It is early days in my understanding of the Appalachian Lady Fern, but for now it seems to me that it really could be something different. I have a sneaking suspicion that it is a relict species.
What is needed is more data, observational and chromosomal and DNA studies.
All I have at my disposal is to record observational information.
C'est la vie*, eh?
@mjpapay i don't know the usual appearance and characters of A. asplenioides, thus don't know about certain deviations of your observations. Has this species long basal pinnae for usual, or not?
Perhaps there is a hidden relic species in those mountains, we can't know about, or exclude chances for sure.
Did you compare with other kinds of Athyriaceae, as the genus Diplazium and D. sibiricum ?
I may not do such comparison right now.
Kind regards
Erwin
@erwin_pteridophilos - I agree with your Hypothesis that this may be a relict species of the mountains. I would also conjecture that it follows that it may be the ancestor of the Eastern North America species, Athyrium asplenioides and Athyrium angustum. Of course this needs to be investigated by modern DNA analyses.
Other iNat members have observed this fern at high elevations of the mountains, which have slowly been coming to my attention as I have reviewed observations of other species for which it has been mistaken (most commonly for Dennstaedtia punctilobula as a result of the increased divisions of that fern, and the yellow color of both ferns when exposed to long hours of direct sunlight, as is expected on high elevation mountain balds).
That is to say, I will be accumulating here a list of other observations of this fern, if only to affirm its proclivity of occurrence at high elevation, an indication that it is thusly restricted.
Summary of my **observations of this fern
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/90300543 - 3,400 feet, Dry Falls, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/90888195 - same as above
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/97995288 - 5,200 feet, Wayah Bald, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/125823108 - 5,100 feet, Siler Bald, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/135564240 - 4,800 feet, Macon County, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/135563756 - 4,800 feet, Macon County, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/129171395 - 3,700 feet, Winding Stair Gap, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127890150 - 5,200 feet, Wayah Bald vicinity, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/100008267 - 4,380 feet, Brasstown Bald, Georgia
- - - - - - - -
Observations by others
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/126326960 - 5,590 feet, Balsam Grove, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/83394910 - 5,600 feet, Black Mountain, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/127263491 - 6,500 feet, Mount Mitchell, North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/93634460 - 3,250 feet, Linville Falls, (north slope) North Carolina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/92151025 - 3,860 feet, Madison County, Virginia
@bkblack have you seen this?
"Athyrium appalachense" instead of "A. appalachensis"
@mjpapay Michael, i can't judge the degree of differences between (usually shaped) Athyrium asplenioides or A. angustum, and the individuals treated by you subsumed under the proposed, invalid naming "Athyrium appalachensis". So this is just a naming suggestion to a potential new taxon at species rank, needing scientific evidence and valid publication. So far there will come a publication, this could be named "A. appalachense" as other species in the genus are neuter names, but not male/female ones.
@erwin_pteridophilos
I agree that modern DNA analyses need to be applied here.
I have not suggested otherwise.
As shown by the observations listed above,
this taxon (with one extra division of the frond beyond usual Athyrium asplenioides)
occurs at high-elevations.
The distinction of the extra division of the frond,
and the high elevation occurrence,
are more than coincidence can provide.
This is why the matter should be investigated further,
and not relegated to disregard.
@tammor - My hope is to bring the taxon to light, so-to-speak, so that modern DNA analysese can be applied by specialists with such capability.
I am aware that there is an ancient history of published fern names,
each of which would have to be evaluated in comparison of this proposed taxon,
if for no other reason than determination of priority of use for a matching description of a fern of this region. It is a task in itself of almost insuperable undertaking (or so I imagine).
Both of these matters should be properly addressed. Neither of which have I attended to. My apologies.
thanks for this -- very interesting!!
@mjpapay goodness, please don't apologize! These are great observations and we thank you for pulling them together. I'm not a taxonomist (or rather, the plants that I work with are dead for so long that there is no DNA anyway), but I don't know if DNA is necessarily a requirement. I've seen modern taxonomy papers that are based on morphological. Perhaps @crothfels can comment on this.
Yeah, don't worry about the nomenclatural aspects--I'm more than happy to sort those out for you in due time. (It's one of the ecosystem services I provide to the pteridological community.) I think it's a very manageable problem.
I will try to connect you up with Bertrand Black--he is doing his doctoral work right now at UVM on North (and Central) American Athyrium. He has not yet, as far as I know, distinguished any taxa on the East Coast apart from angustum/asplenioides, but he would absolutely be the best person to talk to about molecular approaches here.
@choess - Thank you.
I am happy to merely be a gopher (go for this, go for that) for the person(s) that is willing to work on this matter.
That is to say I will do what I can do to help carry things forward, and will await communications and instructions.
The original description of f. subtripinnatum is https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/569453 and the type, collected near Luray, can be seen here: https://pteridoportal.org/portal/collections/individual/index.php?occid=1811008
@choess - Magnificent.
That is unmistakably the same fern as here, and a high altitude collection/observation too (3,500 and 3,600 feet noted).
[It is interesting that immediately below the description of Athyrium asplenioides forma subtripinnatum is a separate description of Athyrium angustum.]
Here is hoping it is still worthwhile to study the genetics of this fern to better understand its relationship with the "usual" Athyrium asplenioides of lower elevations.
I've added Athyrium asplenioides f. subtripinnatum to our taxonomy so that these individuals can be ID'd and more easily tracked.
@choess - Thank you. I will change their identifications accordingly. Very much appreciated!
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