Trichomanes intricatum — Appalachian bristle fern
![Leaf: Trichomanes intricatum. ~ By Robbin Moran. ~ Copyright © 2024 Robbin Moran. ~ rmoran[at]nybg.org ~ Plant Systematics - www.plantsystematics.org/](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/Hymenophyllaceae/trichomanes-intricatum-le-rmoran.jpg)
![Plant form: Trichomanes intricatum. ~ By Arthur Haines. ~ Copyright © 2024 Arthur Haines. ~ arthur.d.haines[at]gmail.com](https://newfs.s3.amazonaws.com/taxon-images-1000s1000/Hymenophyllaceae/trichomanes-intricatum-ha-ahaines.jpg)
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Facts
Appalachian bristle fern grows only on rocks in sheltered caves, pockets and crevices, and is very rare in New England. This is a highly unusual species in that sporophytes (the spore-bearing life stage) are unknown, and it exists only as moss-like mats of gametophytes that spread vegetatively to cover areas as large as a square meter (10 square feet).
Habitat
Cliffs, balds, or ledges, ridges or ledges
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
-
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
-
Leaves
- Features of leaves
- there are no special features on the leaves
-
Place
- Habitat
- terrestrial
- New England state
-
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- New Hampshire
- Vermont
- Specific habitat
-
- cliffs, balds, or ledges
- ridges or ledges
Wetland status
Not classified
In New England
Distribution
- Connecticut
- present
- Maine
- absent
- Massachusetts
- present
- New Hampshire
- present
- Rhode Island
- absent
- Vermont
- present
Conservation status
Exact status definitions can vary from state to state. For details, please check with your state.
- Connecticut
- unrankable (S-rank: SU), special concern (code: SC)
- Massachusetts
- extremely rare (S-rank: S1), endangered (code: E)
- New Hampshire
- historical (S-rank: SH), endangered (code: E)
- Vermont
- extremely rare (S-rank: S1)
From Flora Novae Angliae dichotomous key
1. Trichomanes intricatum Farrar NC
Appalachian bristle fern. CT, MA, NH, VT. Growing on basic and acidic rock in sheltered caves, pockets, and crevices.