PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

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Scientific Name	Common Name	Global Rank	State Rank	Federal Status	WI Status

Pinnatifid Spleenwort (Asplenium pinnatifidum)

State Status: THR

Federal Status: none

State Rank: S1

Global Rank: G4

Photo by Thomas Meyer

Counties with Mapped NHI Occurrences

Pinnatifid Spleenwort (Asplenium pinnatifidum), a Wisconsin Threatened plant, is found in crevices in dry sandstone cliffs. This species can be identified year-round.

Synonyms:

x Asplenosorus pinnatifidus

Identification

Pinnatifid spleenwort is a fern with fronds that are 10-30cm long and 2.5cm wide. It has 1 to several 1-2mm sori on each lobe, elongate, that follow the straight or slightly curved veins on the abaxial surface of the laminae. Indusia are long, thin, whitish, and entire. Its leaves are firm, spreading, lance-linear shaped fronds. Its rachis can be as long as 12cm, fronds are deeply cleft at base, but merely lobed towards tip. Its rhizomes are short-creeping or ascending, about 1mm in diameter, and branched. Scales are linear-lanceate, 3-4mm long, 0.5mm wide, blackish, and strongly clathrate (lattice-like in appearance). Stipes are 2-10cm long, narrowly winged near the base, dark reddish-brown at the base, and greenish toward the apex.

Distinguishing Characteristics and Similar Species

It can be distinguished from other Asplenium species by its blades, which are deeply lobed but not truly pinnate (ie, there are usually no distinct pinnae and the lobes are connected to one another).

Phenology and Reproduction

Phenology

Rhizomatous. Fruiting occurs in the summer.

Life Cycle, Optimum Time to Identify

Perennial. This species can be identified year-round.

Ecology and Associated Species

Associated species include Quercus alba, Q rubra, Carya ovata, Amelanchier species, and Betula papyrifera.

Habitat

Pinnatifid spleenwort is found in the acidic soils of crevices in dry sandstone cliffs.

Avoidance Measures and Management Guidance

Avoidance Measures

Avoid broadcast spraying of herbicides and use care with spot spraying.

Avoid direct disturbance to sensitive microsites such as seeps, cliffs, and moss-covered boulders.

Management Guidance

Follow BMPs, especially around streams and use care near ravines, steep slopes, cliffs, rock outcrops, etc.

Buffer management around unique microhabitats such as ephemeral ponds, seeps, etc.

Wildlife Action Plan

Associated Natural Communities and Ecological Landscapes

Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) are associated with habitats (or natural communities) and places on the landscape. Understanding relationships among SGCN, natural communities and ecological landscapes help us make decisions about issues affecting SGCN and their habitat and how to respond. Download the Wildlife Action Plan association score spreadsheet to explore rare species, natural communities and ecological landscape associations

Issues/Threats and Conservation Actions

Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the Wisconsin Wildlife Action Plan because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.

PROTECTING WISCONSIN'S BIODIVERSITY

Pinnatifid Spleenwort (Asplenium pinnatifidum)

Rare Species & Natural Communities

Additional Resources

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