rattlesnake fern

noun

1. any of several American grape ferns, especially Botrychium virginianium, having clusters of sporangia resembling the rattles of a rattlesnake.

Word History and Origins

Origin of rattlesnake fern¹

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15

Example Sentences

Thin, green marsh fern circled lakes alongside moonwort, rattlesnake fern and horsetail.

From New York Times

The two are apt to grow near each other, with the rattlesnake fern as a near neighbor.

From Project Gutenberg

Sterile segment triangular, twice pinnatifid, the acute lobes lanceolate, incised or toothed, scarcely fleshy, resembling a very small specimen of the rattlesnake fern.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the constant companions of the rattlesnake fern.

From Project Gutenberg