Yes, it is a primitive type of fern.

Plant guide

Rattlesnake fern.

Botrypus virginianus

Pronounced bo-TRY-pus vir-jin-ee-AY-nus

Also known as Common Grapefern, Rattlesnake Fern, Virginia grapefern, rattlesnake grapefern

The rattlesnake fern is a charming native woodland plant that stands out with its unique, triangular fronds. It is a true forest dweller that prefers the cool, shaded environment of the woodland floor. You will love how it adds a touch of wild beauty to a shaded garden spot.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Fern
Light: Full shade to partial shade
Indoor light: Low light
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet
Growth rate: Slow
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8
Bloom time: Does not bloom, produces spores in summer.

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to mimic its natural forest habitat. Watch for wilting fronds, which usually indicate that the soil has dried out too much. It thrives in high humidity and cool temperatures, so avoid placing it near heat sources.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist to the touch at all times.
Feeding: Use a diluted, balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Remove dead or damaged fronds in late winter or early spring.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant has clearly outgrown its current container.
Soil: Rich, organic, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: -40 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically many years if left undisturbed.
Deer and rabbits: High

Safety

People: There is no significant toxicity reported for humans.
Children: The plant is not known to be dangerous to children, but it should not be ingested.
Contact allergens: No known skin irritation.
Airborne allergens: Spores may cause minor respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: This plant is not considered edible and should be avoided.

How to identify it

Triangular, finely divided sterile frond
Single, upright fertile stalk
Spore clusters resemble rattlesnake rattles
Fleshy, succulent root system

Height: 0.2 to 0.5m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: bright green, deciduous
Flowers: 0cm

Problems to watch for

Fungal leaf spot · Small dark spots on leaves caused by excessive moisture.

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, spores
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: The plant dies back to the ground in winter, so simply leave the leaf litter in place to protect the roots.
In containers: It does not perform well in containers as it requires specific woodland soil conditions.

Plant in groups to mimic the natural forest floor environment.

Grows well with

Wild Ginger · They share similar shade and moisture requirements.
Trillium · They are classic woodland companions that thrive in the same forest floor conditions.

Similar species

Grape Fern · They share similar spore-bearing structures.

Science

Family: Ophioglossaceae
Genus: Botrypus
Order: Ophioglossales
Class: Polypodiopsida
Native range: Widespread across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Conservation: It is widespread and not currently of conservation concern.

It thrives in the undisturbed leaf litter of mature deciduous forests.

Value to wildlife: provides ground cover in shaded woodlands
Uses: shade garden plant, woodland restoration

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 0/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 2/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this a true fern?: Yes, it is a primitive type of fern.
Does it need full sun?: No, it prefers deep shade.

Where the name comes from

The name Botrypus comes from Greek for bunch of grapes, referring to the spore clusters, and virginianus refers to its discovery in Virginia.

Good to know

It is a member of the Ophioglossaceae family.
The plant typically has only one leaf per year.
It is found in moist, rich woods across much of North America.
The fertile stalk appears in late spring.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.