May - June 1994 Vol. 4, No. 3 PRELIMINARY ATLAS OF THE FERNS & FERN ALLIES OF LONG ISLAND, NY In memory of Joseph Beitel 1952-1991 Former Vice-President Long Island Botanical Society Introduction Long Island (LI) has a remarkably rich fern flora, especially considering the sandy quality of the island’s soil. Altogether, 76 different taxa (kinds) of ferns and fern allies occur on LI, including 50 taxa of true ferns, 15 club-mosses, 2 spike-mosses, 3 quill worts, and 6 horsetails. Any taxonomic unit is called a taxon (pi. taxa), including species, subspecies, variety, and hybrid. In 1970 Joe Beitel worked as a Park Interpreter for Suffolk County’s Dept, of Parks. One of his tasks was to inven-tory the flora of various parks, and during this process he began collecting data on the ferns and fern allies of Suffolk County. After several years of fieldwork Joe assimilated his records into a draft manuscript; but his graduate studies at The University of Michigan coupled with work on the fern flora of Oaxaca, Mexico, left his Suffolk Co. fern project on the back burner. When Joe passed away in 1991 the Flora Committee of the LI Botanical Society already had been working on a Flora of Long Island for several years. It seemed appropriate at that time to concentrate efforts PROGRAMS See back page and insert for details. upon a fern flora in memory of Joe. A small group of the Flora Committee (including Skip Blanchard, Steven Clemants, Barbara Conolly, Carol Johnston, Eric Lamont, Allan Lindberg, Lois Lindberg, and Betty Lotowycz) began work on a fern atlas. The production of this preliminary atlas has been a two step process. First, historical collections and reports were incorporated into a database; secondly, the current status of each taxon was determined by field searches (this second step continues to be an on-going project). Members of the committee first recorded their own observations and collections. Joe Beitel’ s personal records were obtained from the NY Botanical Garden, via Dr. John Mickel. Members then visited various herbaria throughout NY, and hand- copied label data from historical collections dating back to the 1870’s. The herbaria that were visited include; Brooklyn Botanic Garden (BKL), NY Botanical Garden (NY), NY State Museum (NYS), Planting Fields Arboretum Herbarium (OBPF), and other smaller, private and institutional herbaria on LI. The NY Flora Association provided a $500 grant to assist with this aspect of the project. After historical data had been collected, it was determined that certain areas of LI had been neglected by botanists in the past, resulting in gaps in the Long Island Botanical Society May - June 1994 Page 15 distribution of species. Therefore, two seasons (1992 & 1993) were spent in the field, filling in the distribution maps with updated records. Nomenclature and taxonomy strictly follow Flora of North America, volume 2 (1993), although members of the committee did not always agree with some of the generic limitations presented in that monumental work (for example, the recognition of Pseudolycopodiella as a distinct genus). However, in an effort to standardize names and taxonomic concepts, we followed FNA. Summary Of the 50 taxa of true ferns historically known from LI, 33 are currently known to persist. Curly Grass Fern (Schizaea pusilla) is probably Long Island’s rarest fern; other rare species with extant populations include Blunt-lobed Grape Fern (Botrychium oneidense), Fragile Fern {Cystopteris fragilis). Oak Fern (Gymnocarpium dryopteris), and Adder’s Tongue Fern {Ophioglossum pusillum). Several other rare LI ferns have not been recently observed: Climbing Fern {Lygodium palmatum), Leathery Grape Fern {Botrychium multifidum). Dwarf Grape Fern (Botrychium simplex), Clinton’s Wood Fern {Dryopteris clintoniand), Northern Beech Fern (Phegopteris connectilis), and Rusty Cliff Fern {Woodsia ilvensis). Three fern species are not native to LI: Water Fern {Azolla caroliniana), naturalized in the Peconic River and probably introduced from discarded aquaria; Water-clover {Marsilea quadrifolia) a very rare introduction at wetlands in Islip Township; and Ostrich Fern {Matteuccia struthiopteris var. pensylvanica), escaped from cultivation and not naturalized. Of the 15 taxa of club-mosses historically known from LI, 10 are currently known to persist. Carolina Club-moss {Pseudolycopodiella caroliniana) is LFs rarest club-moss with one population. Li’s two species of spike-moss still persist, but are very rare. Only one species of quillwort, and only two species of horsetail are currently reported from LI. What you can do to help The ferns and fern allies of LI, NY, have been of interest to botanists for over 100 years, and historical collections reveal a very rich diversity of species and hybrids. A flora of the ferns and their allies of LI has never been published, and this preliminary atlas is the first step towards that goal. We would like to emphasize that this preliminary atlas is just that - preliminary! It is our hope that this will stimulate field work by members of the LI Botanical Society, to obtain a more complete record of the current status of ferns and their allies. Many species have not been recently observed on LI, and many historical records need to be updated. As you hike around Long Island during the next year or two, please keep a watchful eye out for ferns, club-mosses, spike-mosses, horsetails, and quillworts; and if you can help the flora committee update their records please send us a postcard or give us a telephone call with your discoveries. Continued on page 25 Map of the counties, towns and other regions of Long Island Long Island Botanical Society May - June 1994 Page 16 True Ferns NORTHERN MAIDENHAIR var. asplenioides (Michx.) Farw. [A. asplenioides (Michx.) Desv.] SOUTHERN LADY FERN DISSECTED GRAPEFERN LEATHER GRAPEFERN LEAST MOONWORT Asplenium platyneuron (L.) BSP. EBONY SLEENWORT [Azolla filiculoides Lam. of NY reports] MOSQUITO FERN Botrychium matricariifolium (Doll) A. Braun ex Koch DAISY-LEAF MOONWORT BLUNT-LOBED GRAPEFERN RATTLESNAKE FERN Long Island Botanical Society May - June 1994 Page 17 True Ferns BRITTLE FERN Deparia acrostichoides (Swartz) M. Kato [Athyrium thelypteiroides] SILVERY-SPLEENWORT Dryopteris clintoniana (D.C. Eaton) Dowell CLINTON’S WOOD FERN Dryopteris intermedia (Muhl. ex Willd.) A. Gray EVERGREEN WOOD FERN [D. X triploidea Wherry] Dennstaedtia punctilobula (Michx.) T. Moore HAY-SCENTED FERN Dryopteris carthusiana (Vill.) H. P. Fuchs [D. spinulosa (Muell.) Watt] SPINULOSE WOOD FERN CRESTED WOOD FERN MARGINAL WOOD FERN note; D. celsa is unknown on LI Long Island Botanical Society May - June 1994 Page 18 True Ferns I L, 7 -£ Dryopteris celsa x goldiana note: D. celsa & D. goldiana are unknown on LI L~t—\ L- -■ r^L£s> Dryopteris clintoniana x cristata Dryopteris cristata x intermedia [Z). X boottii Underwood] Z_/— -4 L- - Dryopteris goldiana x intermedia note: D. goldiana is unknown on LI Gymnocarpium dryopteris (L.) Newman COMMON OAK FERN Dryopteris celsa x intermedia note: D. celsa is unknown on LI [D. X slossonae Wherry] CLIMBING FERN Long Island Botanical Society May - June 1994 Page 19 True Ferns WATER CLOVER Onoclea sensibilis L. SENSITIVE FERN CINNAMON FERN Osmunda regalis L. van spectabilis (Willd.) A. Gray ROYAL FERN Phegopteris hexagonoptera (Michx.) Fee BROAD BEECH FERN Matteuccia struthiopteris (L.) Todaro var. pensylvanica (Willd.) C.V. Morton OSTRICH FERN [O. vulgatum of LI authors] NORTHERN ADDER’ S-TONGUE INTERRUPTED FERN NORTHERN BEECH FERN (incl. P. appalachianum Haufler & Windham) ROCK POLYPODY Long Island Botanical Society May - June 1994 Page 20 True Ferns Polystichum acrostichoides (Michx.) Schott CHRISTMAS FERN CURLY-GRASS FERN Thelypteris palustris Schott MARSH FERN RUSTY CUFF FERN Lorinseria areolata (L.) C. Presl NETTED CHAIN FERN /-S-L ■ Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn [inch vars. latiusculum (Desv.) Underwood & pseudocaudatum (Clute) A. Heller] BRACKEN Thelypteris noveboracensis (L.) Nieuwh NEW YORK FERN Thelypteris simulata (Davenport) .Nieuwl. MASSACHUSETTS FERN AP*' Woodsia obtusa (Spreng.) Torr. BLUNT-LOBED CLIFF FERN Woodwardia virginica (L.) Smith Anchistea virginica (L.) C. Presl VIRGINIA CHAIN FERN Long Island Botanical Society May - June 1994 Page 21 Club-Mosses Diphasiastrum digitatum (Dill, ex A. Braun) Holub [Lycopodium flabelliforme Dill, ex A. Braun] SOUTHERN RUNNING-PINE [D. X habererii (House) Holub] Lycopodiella alopecuroides (L.) Cranfill [Lycopodium alopecuroides L.] FOXTAIL BOG CLUB-MOSS [Lycopodium, inundatum L.] NORTHERN BOG CLUB-MOSS Diphasiastrum tristachyum (Pursh) Holub [Lycopodium tristachyum Pursh] BLUE GROLIND-CEDAR [Lycopodium lucidulum Michx.] SHINING FIR-MOSS Lycopodiella appressa (Chapmani) Cranfill [Lycopodium appressum (Chapman) Lloyd & Underwood] APPRESSED BOG CLUB-MOSS [Lycopodiella x copelandii (Eiger) Cranfill] Long Island Botanical Society May - June 1994 Page 22 Club-Mosses COMMON CLUB-MOSS A5^ Lycopodium dendroideum Michx. [L. obscurum var. dendroideum (Michx. ) D.C. Eaton] PRICKLY TREE CLUB-MOSS Lycopodium hickeyi W.H. Wagner, Beitel & R.C. Moran [L. obscurum var. isophyllum Hickey] HICKEY’S TREE CLUB -MOSS FLAT-BRANCHED TREE CLUB-MOSS Pseudolycopodiella caroliniana (L.) Holub [Lycopodium carolinianum L.] SLENDER BOG CLUB-MOSS Spike-Mosses MEADOW SPIKE-MOSS Long Island Botanical Society May - June 1994 Page 23 Quillworts SPINY-SPORED QUILL WORT ENGELMANN’S QUILLWORT Isoetes tuckermanii A. Braun ex Engelm. TUCKERMAN’S QLTILLWORT Horsetails FIELD HORSETAIL RIVER HORSETAIL ssp. affine (Engelm.) Calder & Taylor MEADOW HORSETAIL COMMON SCOURING RUSH WOOD HORSETAIL [E. x litorale Kiihlewein] Long Island Botanical Society May ‘ June 1994 Page 24 Key to Symbols Several symbols were used to indicate different types of data. These symbols were placed in a county or town. In places where we felt that more detail was warranted the symbols were placed in portions of towns (such as Fishers Island, Gardiners Island, Montauk Pt, E & W Southampton, N & S Brookhaven, etc.). Open symbols were used to indicate that the species was only known from before 1980, closed symbols were used to indicate that the species is known from after 1980. Circles were used to indicate a specimen was seen, triangles to indicate a report is known and a square to indicate that an old specimen is known and a recent report is known. open symbols (no data since 1980) O - a specimen is known from the county, town, etc. A - a report is known from the county, town, etc. closed symbols (data since 1980) • - a specimen is known from the town ^ - a report is known from the town ■ - a pre-1980 specimen is known and a post- 1980 report is known from the town Notes We have followed the new Flora North America treatment for the names of the plants. Here is a list of the names which diverge greatly from the NYS Checklist (Mitchell, 1986). Old Name New Name Anchistea virginica Woodwardia virginica Athyrium asplenioides A. filix-femina var. asplenioides Athyrium thelypterioides Deparia acrostichoides Azolla filiculoides Azolla caroliniana Lorinseria areolata Woodwardia areolata Lycopodium Huperzia (check under these 4 genera Diphasiastrum as well as Lycopodium) Pseudolycopodiella Lycopodiella Lycopodium flabelliforme ... Diphasiastrum digitatum Lycopodium obscurum var. isophyllum Lycopodium hickeyi Ophioglossum vulgatum O. pusillum Prepared by: Long Island Botanical Society Flora Committee Society News Meetings March 8 Raymond Welch talked about his daily treks along the paths of Suffolk Co. Community College. He showed slides illustrating the often startling changes in the vegetation in the past 20 years. April 12 Tom Stock showed slides of the many different glacial eratics found on Long Island. He provided historical and ecological comments along the way. Steven Clemants identified the unknown plant that blew into the LI Nature Conservation headquarters last winter as Nigella damascena L. (Love-in-a-mist). Education Committee News The LIBS educational display was exhibited on Earth Day weekend (April 23 & 24) at Heckscher State Park’s Spring Celebration. A special exhibit on twig identification was also prepared by Mary Laura Lamont. It was estimated that over 10,000 visitors attended the celebration. Executive Board Meeting A meeting of the Executive Board will be held on 24 May 1994 at 7:15 pm (before the Flora Committee meeting), at the Planting Fields Arboretum Library. All members are welcome at attend. Field Trips June 25, Caumsett State Park, Lloyd Harbor. Meet 10 AM in parking lot by entrance booth. Andrew Greller, will lead this trip to help prepare a flora of Caumsett State Park. Participants should bring lunch and a beverage and be prepared for mosquitos, ticks, sun and possibly wet walking in the salt marsh. Bring a hand lens, field guides and cameras, if possible. Andy will supply checklists. There is no need to preregister. July 9, Connetquot River State Park. Meet 9:30 AM in entrance parking lot. Chris Mangels, will lead this visit to dry uplands and wetlands along the river. Examine noteworthy species of sedges and other rare species in the wetlands. Bring lunch and beverage and be prepared for ticks, wetness and sun. Leave message with Glenn Richard at 369-4922 by June 22, including your name and phone number if you plan to attend. Long Island Botanical Society May - June 1994 Page 25 LONG ISLAND BOTANICAL SOCIETY Founded: 1986; Incorporated: 1989. PROGRAMS The Long Island Botanical Society is dedicated to the promotion of field botany and a greater understanding of the plants that grow wild on Long Island, Ne\ President Vice President Treasurer Recrd Sec’y Cor’sp Sec’y Local Flora Field Trip Membership Conservation Education Hospitality Program Editor Eric Lamont Steven Clemants .... Carol Johnston Barbara Conolly .... Jane Blanchard Skip Blanchard Glenn Richard Lois Lind berg Louise Harrison . . . . John Turner Margaret Conover . . . Mary Laura Lamont . Nancy Smith Betty Lotowycz . . . . Eric Lamont Steven Clemants . . . . Membership Membership is open to all, and we welcome new members. Annual dues are $10. For membership, make your check payable to LONG ISLAND BOTANICAL SOCIETY and mail to; Lois Lindberg, Membership Chairperson, 45 Sandy Hill Rd., Oyster Bay, NY 1 1 77 1 -3 1 1 1 10 May 1994 - 7:30 pm*, Peter Whan, "Life on the Edge: a view from The Edge of Appalachia Preserve System of southern Ohio." Lfplands Farm Nature Center, Cold Spring Harbor. For directions to Uplands Farm call 516-367-3225. 14 June 1994 - Glenn Richard has planned a special evening at The Swan Pond Biological Station of SUNY at Calverton. Activities include: nature walk, Barbeque, and an evening program on coastal plain ponds by Bruce Lund. PLEASE SEE ENCLOSED FLIER FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION * Refreshments are available starting at 7:30 pm; the meeting begins at 8 pm. LONG ISLAND BOTANICAL SOCIETY c/o Muttontown Preserve Muttontown Lane East Norwich, NY 11732 Long Island Botanical Society January - February 1994 Page 26