Botrychium crenulatum
Scalloped moonwort
(c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · licence
Family: Ophioglossaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Botrychium crenulatum (Scalloped moonwort) is a native California herb in the Ophioglossaceae family, recognized by scalloped margins and drooping fertile branches.
Scalloped moonwort is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in northern Coast Ranges, California Ranges, Sierra Nevada, southern Great Basin, Warner Mountains, and eastern Sierra Nevada in saturated hard-water seeps and stream margins at elevations of 1,500 to 3,600 meters. Its delicate fronds emerge with a trophophore and sporophore roughly equal in length, featuring thin, soft green to yellow-green pinnae that spread in a fan-like pattern. Growing with a distinctive leaf structure, the plant produces thin, shiny fronds with 3 to 5 pairs of pinnae that are mostly well-separated and have side margins converging at an angle of 120 to 160 degrees. Its pinnae are characterized by finely crenulate to dentate outer margins, creating a delicate, lacy appearance. The fertile portion of the plant develops a triangular sporophore with spreading branches, with the basal pair often turning downward as the plant matures.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; diagnostic scalloped margins and drooping fertile branches
Habitat and range
Habitat: Saturated hard-water seeps and stream margins
Elevation: 1500-3600 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Mono, Tulare, Butte, Placer, Tehama, Alpine, Colusa
Outside California: to Alaska, Minnesota, Ontario, Newfoundland
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.2
How to tell it apart
vs Sceptridium: Check the leaf bud - Botrychium is completely smooth, Sceptridium is hairy.; vs Ophioglossum: Botrychium has divided compound leaves; Ophioglossum has a single simple oval blade.; vs Botrypus: Feel the leaf bud - Botrychium is smooth and hairless, Botrypus is distinctly hairy.
Frequently asked questions
Is Botrychium crenulatum native to California?
Yes. Botrychium crenulatum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Botrychium crenulatum grow?
Botrychium crenulatum occurs in San Bernardino, Mono, Tulare, Butte, Placer, Tehama, Alpine, Colusa, at elevations of 1500-3600 m.
What plant family does Botrychium crenulatum belong to?
Botrychium crenulatum is in the Ophioglossaceae family, genus Botrychium.
Is Botrychium crenulatum rare or endangered?
Botrychium crenulatum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S3.
What habitat does Botrychium crenulatum grow in?
Botrychium crenulatum grows in Saturated hard-water seeps and stream margins.
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.