Argyrochosma jonesii
Jones' false cloak-fern
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Pteridaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Argyrochosma jonesii (Jones' false cloak-fern) is a native California herb in the Pteridaceae family, recognized by size, stalk length, and spore number.
Jones' false cloak-fern is a California native perennial found in southern Sierra Nevada, southern Coast Ranges, San Gabriel Mountains, White and Inyo Mountains, and Desert Mountains in calcareous rock crevices and cliff bases at elevations of 400 to 1,800 meters. This delicate fern has dark brown stalks supporting feathery fronds 5 to 15 centimeters long with compact, intricately divided segments. Growing with compact, clustered growth habit, the fern develops short basal pinna stalks less than 5 millimeters long and pinnule stalks up to 1.5 millimeters. Its finely dissected leaflets are typically 2 to 5 millimeters long, creating a lacy, intricate appearance characteristic of rock-dwelling ferns. Each frond contains multiple sporangia capable of producing 64 spores, reflecting the plant's sophisticated reproductive strategy.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by size, stalk length, and spore number
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally calcareous rock crevices, cliff bases
Elevation: 400-1800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Tulare, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Barbara
Outside California: to southwestern Utah, Arizona
How to tell it apart
vs Adiantum: Argyrochosma segments are narrowed at base; maidenhair has broad fan-shaped leaflets.; vs Aspidotis: Argyrochosma segments are stalked and separate; lace fern segments are stalkless and connected.; vs Pellaea: Argyrochosma has spore cases along outer vein portions; cliff-brake has them clustered just at vein tips.; vs Notholaena: Check leaf underside - Argyrochosma is smooth, cloak fern has dense scales or hairs.; vs Myriopteris: Argyrochosma leaf undersides are completely smooth; lip fern has obvious scales, hairs, or glands.
Frequently asked questions
Is Argyrochosma jonesii native to California?
Yes. Argyrochosma jonesii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Argyrochosma jonesii grow?
Argyrochosma jonesii occurs in San Bernardino, Tulare, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, Santa Barbara, at elevations of 400-1800 m.
What plant family does Argyrochosma jonesii belong to?
Argyrochosma jonesii is in the Pteridaceae family, genus Argyrochosma.
What habitat does Argyrochosma jonesii grow in?
Argyrochosma jonesii grows in Generally calcareous rock crevices, cliff bases.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.