The coastal wood fern has stout, bright green fronds stretching up to 24 inches long and, at the base, 7 inches wide. The lacy looking fronds, which taper from a wide base to a thin point, are composed of angled leaflets which stem from the main spine before dividing into more smaller, toothed leaflets. The fern often sprouts numerous fronds, though not so many as to appear lush or bushy. This plant is easily confused with the western sword fern; however, this plant has two levels of division on the leaves, unlike the western sword fern, which has only one.
Basic Information
Member of the Dryopteridaceae (Wood Fern) family
Herb and fern
Perennial, evergreen
Habitat
Native from British Columbia south to California and east into Arizona
Found in oak woodlands, chaparral, mixed evergreen forests, and on shady slopes
Ecological Role
Associated with 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
Food for dusky-footed woodrats (Neotoma fuscipes annectens)
Reproduction
This is a non-flowering species — rather than produce flowers, this plant releases airborne spores to reproduce
Alternative Names
California Wood Fern, Coastal Woodfern
Historical Uses
The rhizomes of this plant were gathered in spring for food by the Ohlone and Nlaka'pamux
The Mewuk used a decoction of the roots made to treat vomiting and internal bleeding
The Karok used the fronds to clean meat and to cover it to keep off flies
An infusion of fronds was used by the Ohlone as a hair wash
The Yurok used the spores used to make designs on hands