A study of the pteriodophytes of Jockey Hollow in Morristown National Historical Park

Rasch, Barbara

This is a report of a study of pteridophytes (ferns and other related vascular plants) of Jockey Hollow in Morrstown, NJ conducted in June, July, and August of 1992. A previous study had been done in 1971 by James D. Montgomery, and the results of the two studies were compared. All 40.25 kilometers of established trails were searched for ferns, clubmosses, and horsetails. Eighteen species were identified in Jockey Hollow, and all had been observed in the earlier study. However, only about one half of the species identified in the 1971 study were found in 1992. Possible reasons are: the spread of exotic plant species (especially Microstegium), and deer grazing. Human impact was not thought to be an important factor. An unknown factor is limiting fern growth, since most ferns are not reaching mature size nor are producing sori, but they had been in the 1971 study. Checklists from both studies are included in the report. Nine specimens were added to the Park herbarium housed in the Resource Management Office at the Cross Estate.