Gymnocarpium jessoense — Nahanni oak fern
![Leaf: Gymnocarpium jessoense. ~ By Elizabeth Farnsworth. ~ Copyright © 2025 New England Wild Flower Society. ~ Image Request, images[at]newenglandwild.org](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/Woodsiaceae/gymnocarpium-jessoense-le-efarnsworth.jpg)
![Plant form: Gymnocarpium jessoense. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2025 Arthur Haines. ~ arthur.d.haines[at]gmail.com](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/Woodsiaceae/gymnocarpium-jessoense-ha-ahaines.jpg)
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Facts
Nahanni oak fern has a distribution that includes Canada and some northern states. In New England it is a very rare fern of high-pH cliffs and talus slopes in Vermont.
Habitat
Cliffs, balds, or ledges, ridges or ledges, talus and rocky slopes
New England distribution
Adapted from BONAP data
Native: indigenous.
Non-native: introduced (intentionally or unintentionally); has become naturalized.
County documented: documented to exist in the county by evidence (herbarium specimen, photograph). Also covers those considered historical (not seen in 20 years).
State documented: documented to exist in the state, but not documented to a county within the state. Also covers those considered historical (not seen in 20 years).
Note: when native and non-native populations both exist in a county, only native status is shown on the map.
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enlargeCharacteristics
- Habitat
- terrestrial
- New England state
- Vermont
-
Leaves
- Features of leaves
- there are no special features on the leaves
-
Place
- Habitat
- terrestrial
- New England state
- Vermont
- Specific habitat
-
- cliffs, balds, or ledges
- ridges or ledges
- talus or rocky slopes
Wetland status
Usually occurs in non-wetlands, but occasionally in wetlands. (Wetland indicator code: FACU)
In New England
Distribution
- Connecticut
- absent
- Maine
- absent
- Massachusetts
- absent
- New Hampshire
- absent
- Rhode Island
- absent
- Vermont
- present
Conservation status
Exact status definitions can vary from state to state. For details, please check with your state.
- Massachusetts
- unranked (S-rank: SNR)
- Vermont
- historical (S-rank: SH)
ssp. parvulum
- Massachusetts
- unranked (S-rank: SNR)
From Flora Novae Angliae dichotomous key
2. Gymnocarpium jessoense (Koidzumi) Koidzumi ssp. parvulum Sarvela NC
Nahanni oak fern. Gymnocarpium continentale (Petrov) Pojark • VT. High-pH rock of cliffs and talus slopes.
Native to North America?
Yes