To start this year’s field season, the Rothfels Lab set out on a daring adventure.
Rumors had been whispered in hushed tones of something unthinkable: a legend that
north of Malad, Idaho, upon the cliffs of Elkhorn Peak and the surrounding mountains,
a population of Cystopteris utahensis lay in wait — discoverable
only by those most noble of heart, intrepid of mind, trained of body, and nerdy about
ferns.
The lab, accompanied by Kris Valles, curator of the USU Herbarium, believed themselves
worthy of the task. Their mission: find the true northern extent of C. utahensis —
or perhaps discover a new species entirely. A C. idahoensis…?
As fate would have it, no marvelous discoveries were made, but the valiant adventurers
had a wonderful time trying out their field legs for the season. Ferns were identified,
plants were collected, pickles were shared, and good times were had by all in this band
of botanists.
