Species Waterton Moonwort

Waterton Moonwort

Botrychium x watertonense

Waterton Moonwort (Botrychium x watertonense) is a rare species of fern-like plant found only in the Great Lakes region of North America. It has concave, lace-like leaflets with a crescent-shaped moon on the underside. This species is incredibly delicate and small; the central stalk rarely reaches a height of more than 6 inches. Charles Darwin was one of the first to document this peculiar species in 1845. Unfortunately, the Waterton Moonwort is listed as critically endangered due to loss of habitat and over harvesting. Conservation efforts have been implemented to ensure the survival of this fragile species.

Watering:

Minimal

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade,full shade

Growth Rate:

Low

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Swamp moonwort should be watered once a week during the spring, summer, and fall months. Water thoroughly with room temperature water until you see some water draining out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. During the winter months, water only when the soil feels dry. Do not let the soil get soggy as this may cause the plant to rot. Aim to keep the soil consistently moist, not wet.

sunlight

Swamp Moonwort (Botrychium tenebrosum) is a temperate, marsh-dwelling fern species that requires moist, nutrient rich soil and adequate sunlight to thrive. This species prefers partial to filtered shade and should not be exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods of time. In general, Swamp Moonwort should receive between 2-4 hours of direct sunlight each day with more filtered sunlight available for the rest of the day. If grown in an area where temperatures and sunlight levels are more intense, it may be beneficial to provide shade for the plant during peak periods.

pruning

Swamp Moonwort (Botrychium tenebrosum) should generally be pruned only when absolutely necessary. This plant does not respond well to pruning and thus should not be pruned more than necessary. If pruning is required, it should generally be done in late summer, after the fruiting period. Pruning should involve only the removal of dead or broken leaves or stems and should never involve more than 1-third of the plant’s total mass.

Propagation

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