Ferns

Ferns are one of the oldest groups of plants on Earth, with fossil records dating back 383-393 million years ago, and perhaps even older. Ferns, and their method of reproduction (spores), long predate the seed-plant life cycle. Old as ferns are, it isn’t their age that is most attractive about them, but their unique, lacy shape. The distinct, delicate fronds stand out, even in the green tangle of the forest floor.

California Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum jordanii

California Maidenhair is a small, bright green fern with numerous lobed fronds, rather than the more

Coffee Fern

Pellaea andromedifolia

Unlike other ferns, coffee fern does not have distinct pointed leaflets; rather, the scraggly fronds have rounded, oval leaflets

Western Sword Fern

Polystichum munitum

Sword fern has long, narrow fronds, extending 20-180 cm long (nearly 6 ft tall!), which radiate from the fern’s clumpy, round base.

Coastal Woodfern

Dryopteris arguta

The coastal wood fern has stout, bright green fronds stretching up to 24 inches long and, at the base, 7 inches wide.

Goldenback Fern

Pentagramma triangularis

Goldenback fern has dark green triangular fronds, which sprout from dark brown, wiry stems. Each frond has 2-3 layers of

Western Brackenfern

Pteridium aquilinum

Western brakenfern produces large, wide triangular fronds. The fronds, which grow 1-3 feet tall, are divided into slender

Giant Horsetail

Equisetum telmateia

The Giant Horsetail is a perennial composed of separate sterile and fertile stems with quite different appearances.

California Polypody

Polypodium californicum

California Polypody is a smaller, bright green fern with triangular to oval fronds. The fronds measure up to 70