Adiantum shastense
Shasta maidenhair, Shasta Maidenhair, Shasta maidenhair fern, Shasta maidenhair fern
(c) Timothy McNitt, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Timothy McNitt · licence
Family: Pteridaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Adiantum shastense (Shasta maidenhair) is a native California herb in the Pteridaceae family, recognized by difference in sterile vs fertile pinnule cutting is the main distinguishing feature.
Shasta maidenhair is a California native perennial fern found in the Klamath Ranges in shaded forests, rocky or moist banks with northern or eastern exposures at elevations below 1,600 meters. Its delicate fronds feature red-brown to nearly black stalks with intricate 2 to 3-pinnate blades extending 30 to 60 centimeters long. The fern's pinnules have distinctive asymmetrical margins, with sterile segments more deeply incised than fertile segments. Its leaves display complex architectural structure, with pinnules occasionally cut less than one-quarter way to the base and arranged with base angles between 90 and 135 degrees. Small yellowish sporangia clusters appear on the undersides of the pinnules, adding delicate texture to this elegant woodland fern.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; difference in sterile vs fertile pinnule cutting is the main distinguishing feature
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shaded forests, rocky or moist banks, northern or eastern exposures
Elevation: < 1600 m
Conservation status
CNPS 4.3
How to tell it apart
vs Polystichum: Adiantum has fan-shaped leaflets on black stems; sword ferns have narrow pointed segments on brown stems.; vs Pellaea: Feel the leaflet - Adiantum is thin and delicate, Pellaea is thick and leathery.; vs Thalictrum: Adiantum has spore cases under rolled leaf edges; meadow-rue has flowers and seeds, not spores.; vs Polypodium: Adiantum has fan-shaped leaflets with spores under margins; polypody has elongated segments with round sori.; vs Pentagramma: Adiantum leaflets are thin and delicate; goldback fern leaflets are thicker with powder underneath.
Frequently asked questions
Is Adiantum shastense native to California?
Yes. Adiantum shastense is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Adiantum shastense belong to?
Adiantum shastense is in the Pteridaceae family, genus Adiantum.
Is Adiantum shastense rare or endangered?
Adiantum shastense carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.3, state rank S3.
What habitat does Adiantum shastense grow in?
Adiantum shastense grows in Shaded forests, rocky or moist banks, northern or eastern exposures.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CNPS Rare Plant Inventory · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.