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Pillwort |
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Pilularia globulifera |
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Rare, on acid loch edges, exposed or not according to water level, often hard to spot. Fronds c 3-15 cm long ID: Unique. Fronds look like short rush or grass stems at a distance, but have a pointed tip, and a round sporocarp at their base. Other features: The upright fronds are in dense patches as they arise from a network of rhizomes. In spring the fronds have curled tips (like other ferns) which uncoil as they grow. This is probably the best time of year to spot this fern. The sporocarps start off green and turn brown when ripe, then open to discharge the spores. I've looked for this plant in places where it's been recorded in the past, but have never yet found it in the wild. |