Aspidotis californica
California lace fern
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Pteridaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Aspidotis californica (California lace fern) is a native California herb in the Pteridaceae family, recognized by leaf texture (thin vs leathery), segment shape, and indusia characteristics.
California lace fern is a native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges, California Roaded Forests, Sierra Nevada, Sutter Buttes, central and southwestern California in rocky habitats on outcrops and crevices at elevations of 20 to 1,300 meters. This delicate fern features finely dissected fronds 10 to 40 centimeters long with thin, lacy leaf structures that are intricately 3 to 4 times pinnate. Growing with elegant, light green fronds that spread in feathery clusters, it displays pinnae with small lanceolate to triangular segments and sparse, subtle teeth. Its leaf structure is remarkably intricate, with each pinnate segment containing multiple fine, narrow leaflets that create a complex, translucent green lacework. The fern's sporangia are arranged in small, nearly square false indusia with occasional irregular edges, adding to its delicate architectural complexity.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 2 sympatric species; key features are leaf texture (thin vs leathery), segment shape, and indusia characteristics
Habitat and range
Habitat: rock outcrops, crevices
Elevation: 20-1300 m
California counties: San Diego, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Ventura, Tulare, Tuolumne, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles, Orange, Butte, Fresno, Kern, Lake, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, Monterey, San Bernardino, Amador, Nevada, Mendocino, Sonoma, Sutter, San Benito, El Dorado, Santa Cruz, Calaveras, Napa, Alameda, Sacramento, Sierra, Tehama, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Solano, Plumas, Stanislaus
Outside California: Baja California
How to tell it apart
vs Conium: Aspidotis has spore cases under leaf margins; poison-hemlock has white flowers in umbels.; vs Pentagramma: Aspidotis has toothed sterile segments; goldback fern segments are entire without teeth.; vs Cryptogramma: Aspidotis segments are connected by thin wing tissue; rock-brake segments are completely separate.; vs Myriopteris: Check the leaf underside - Aspidotis is smooth, Myriopteris has scales, hairs, or glands.; vs Rumohra: Aspidotis segments are stalkless and connected; leather fern segments are distinctly stalked.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aspidotis californica native to California?
Yes. Aspidotis californica is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Aspidotis californica grow?
Aspidotis californica occurs in San Diego, Santa Barbara, Riverside, Ventura, Tulare, Tuolumne, San Luis Obispo, Los Angeles and other counties, at elevations of 20-1300 m.
What plant family does Aspidotis californica belong to?
Aspidotis californica is in the Pteridaceae family, genus Aspidotis.
What habitat does Aspidotis californica grow in?
Aspidotis californica grows in rock outcrops, crevices.
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.