New York Natural Heritage Program
Common Moonwort
Botrychium lunaria (L.) Sw.
Botrychium lunaria W. Carl Taylor. USDA NRCS (1992); downloaded from USDA-Plants Database.
Family: adder's-tongue family (Ophioglossaceae)

State Protection: Endangered
listed species are those with: 1) 5 or fewer extant sites, or 2) fewer than 1,000 individuals, or 3) restricted to fewer than 4 U.S.G.S. 7 ? minute topographical maps, or 4) species listed as endangered by U.S. Department of Interior.

Federal Protection: Not Listed

State Rarity Rank: S1

Global Rarity Rank: G5

Did you know?
Botrychium lunaria was named by Carl Linneaus for the pinnae which have a crescent moon shape. The common name, moonwort, comes from this species but not all moonwoorts have crescent-shaped pinnae. In the past it was thought that these ferns could raise the dead, open locks, or remove the shoes of horses that tread upon them.

State Ranking Justification [-]
There is only one known population and three historical populations. One of the historical populations is probably extirpated. This fern has always been considered rare in New York.

Short-term Trends [-]

Long-term Trends [-]