Sceptridium ternatum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Osmunda ternata
• Botrychium ternatum f. occidentale
• Botrychium ternatum f. matricariae
• Botrychium ternatum subvar. intermedium
• Sceptridium ternatum
• Botrychium ternatum var. americanum
• Botrychium ternatum var. occidentale

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized into the subclass Ophioglossidae and the order Ophioglossales, falling under the family Ophioglossaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Botrychium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical range across several key regions in East Asia. In the Russian Far East, its presence is specifically noted on the island of Sakhalin. Within China, the species is widely distributed across the Manchuria region. It can also be found throughout the North-Central areas of the country. Finally, the distribution extends further south into the South-Central and Southeast provinces of China.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Botrychium ternatum is characterized by its classification as a hemicryptophyte, a growth form where the perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, protected by leaf litter or soil. As a perennial herb, its life cycle relies on underground structures to survive unfavorable seasons. The plant undergoes a seasonal emergence where it develops its characteristic pinnately divided leaves and fertile spikes from these protected buds. Its reproductive strategy involves the production of spores within specialized sporangia located on the fertile stalk, which are then dispersed by wind to colonize new substrates. This life history pattern, consistent with its status as a hemicryptophyte, allows it to navigate seasonal fluctuations by maintaining its vital biological components near the ground level during periods of dormancy.

Life form :

hemicryptophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Botrychium ternatum is characterized by its growth habit as a terrestrial plant, functioning as a non-epiphytic species that develops directly within soil substrates. The plant features a small, inconspicuous perennial structure consisting of a fleshy, creeping rhizome from which emerge the photosynthetic organs and reproductive structures. The foliage is typically dimorphic, comprising a single basal leaf that is divided into three distinct leaflets, which gives the species its specific epithet; these leaflets are often pinnately lobed or deeply divided. The reproductive morphology consists of a separate, erect fertile spike that rises on a slender peduncle, bearing small, inconspicuous sporangia arranged in a spike-like fashion. Unlike epiphytic organisms, its morphological development is strictly tied to its terrestrial lifestyle, relying on underground rhizomatous spread and specific soil conditions for its life cycle.

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Botrychium ternatum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiasthmatic.

Antiasthmatic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Botrychium ternatum has 2 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanol extract, extract.

Ethanol extract

1. Journal of dermatological science

Extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology