California Maidenhair is a small, bright green fern with numerous lobed fronds, rather than the more stereotypical swordlike fronds. The fronds can reach up to half a meter in length, though they are typically much smaller. The frond has numerous offshoots with rounded, fan-like leafs, which grow out from the black central spine.
Basic Information
Member of the Pteridaceae (Maidenhair Fern) family
Herb and fern
Perennial
Evergreen or summer deciduous depending on amount of water received
Habitat
Native to from Oregon south to Baja California
In California, this plant grows throughout the coastal and coast mountain ranges, the Transverse mountain ranges, through the Sierra foothills, and into the Sacramento Valley.
Found in along shaded stream sides, seeps, springs, moist hillsides, and on north side of rock outcroppings (facing away from the sun) in chaparral and riparian ecosystems
Ecological Role
Host for the devastating Sudden Oak Death pathogen
Do not take clippings of this plant, as it can carry the SOD spores with it, leading to the pathogen’s spread
Reproduction
This is a non-flowering species — rather than produce flowers, this plant releases airborne spores to reproduce
Sporulates from March to July
Alternative Names
California Maidenhair
Historical Uses
The Ohlone used a decoction of this plant to purify blood, encourage the expulsion of the placenta during birth, and to treat ‘pain below the shoulders’
The Kashaya Pomo used the dried stems for basket design