| Sceptridium multifidum | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Pteridophyta |
| Class: | Psilotopsida |
| Order: | Ophioglossales |
| Family: | Botrychiaceae |
| Genus: | Sceptridium |
| Species: | S. multifidum |
| Binomial name | |
| Sceptridium multifidum (S.G.Gmel.) Tagawa |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Botrychium multifidum |
|
Sceptridium multifidum is a species of fern in the Moonwort Family, known by the common names leathery grapefern and leathery moonwort. It is native to Europe, Asia, and North America, where it is widespread and grows in moist areas in many habitat types. This is a fleshy, leathery plant growing from a small caudex with thin, corky roots. It produces a single leaf which emerges directly from the ground. It is divided into a sterile and a fertile part. The sterile part of the leaf is wide and has rounded or oval-shaped leaflets. The fertile part of the leaf is very different in shape, with grapelike clusters of sporangia by which it reproduces.