Appalachian Lady Fern, [*Athyrium asplenioides* forma *subtripinnatum*] - *Athyrium appalachensis* [proposed]
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/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, Albert Mountain, North Carolina
- https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/135563756 - 4,800 feet, Albert Mountain, 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
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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)