Asplenium viride
Green spleenwort, green spleenwort, green spleenwort
(c) Jacek Pietruszewski, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jacek Pietruszewski · licence
Family: Aspleniaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Asplenium viride (Green spleenwort) is a native California herb in the Aspleniaceae family, recognized by distinctive rhombic pinnae vs linear segments.
Green spleenwort is a native fern found in the northern Sierra Nevada Mountains on the eastern side of Sierra Buttes in Sierra County, growing on rocks in limestone seams at an elevation of 2,050 meters. With delicate green fronds clustered together, this fern produces narrow linear blades 8 to 12 millimeters wide with 8 to 15 pairs of small pinnae. Growing 3 to 20 centimeters tall, the fern has slender red-brown stems that are green or straw-colored above, with pinnae that are rhombic or broadly ovate and lightly crenate along their edges. Its fronds have short stalks 2 to 5 centimeters long, with pinnae measuring 3 to 7 millimeters in length and featuring shallow indentations on the upper and distal margins. Small sporangia clusters, generally 1 to 1.5 millimeters long, appear in 1 to 3 pairs on each pinna.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinctive rhombic pinnae vs linear segments
Habitat and range
Habitat: On rocks in limestone seams in metamorphic rocks
Elevation: 2050 m
California counties: Sierra
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern North America, Europe, Asia
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
How to tell it apart
vs Polystichum: Asplenium has linear to J-shaped sori; Polystichum has round sori with umbrella-like covers.; vs Rumex: Asplenium has fern fronds with sori underneath; Rumex has simple flowering plant leaves with papery sheaths.; vs Nephrolepis: Asplenium has free veins ending at margins; Nephrolepis has veins that form connecting loops.; vs Marsilea: Asplenium has typical fern fronds; Marsilea has four-parted clover-like leaves on creeping stems.; vs Blechnum: Asplenium sori are scattered along veins; Blechnum sori form continuous lines parallel to the midrib.
Frequently asked questions
Is Asplenium viride native to California?
Yes. Asplenium viride is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Asplenium viride grow?
Asplenium viride occurs in Sierra, at elevations of 2050 m.
What plant family does Asplenium viride belong to?
Asplenium viride is in the Aspleniaceae family, genus Asplenium.
Is Asplenium viride rare or endangered?
Asplenium viride carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S1.
What habitat does Asplenium viride grow in?
Asplenium viride grows in On rocks in limestone seams in metamorphic rocks.
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.