Rattlesnake fern
Botrychium virginianum

Family: Ophioglossaceae

What it is like

A large succulent fern. It has stems up to 50 cm tall. The sterile blade in thin and triangle shaped and 15 cm long. The spore sacs have long stalks.

There are about 25-40 Botrychium species.

Where it is found

It grows in rich lowland forest in Canada.

Countries/locations it is found in

Alaska, Asia, Austria, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Europe, Finland, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Himalayas, Honduras, Hungary, India, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Nepal, New Zealand, North America, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Romania, Russia, Siberia, South America, Sweden Switzerland, Tibet, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Venezuela, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The plant is boiled and eaten.

Edible parts

Root

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Osmunda virginiana L.; and others