Botrychium minganense
Mingan moonwort
(c) Timothy McNitt, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ophioglossaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.2
Botrychium minganense (Mingan moonwort) is a native California herb in the Ophioglossaceae family, recognized by long trophophore stalk and dull green color distinctive.
Mingan moonwort is a California native perennial with a rare (CNPS 4.2) status found in the high Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, and Warner Mountains in moist meadows and open forests along streams and seeps at elevations of 1,500 to 3,100 meters. This delicate fern produces a dull green, firm leaf blade 2 to 5 centimeters long, with 3 to 6 pairs of fan-shaped pinnae that have converging side margins. Growing with a common stalk approximately equal in length to its trophophore, the moonwort has a distinctive linear to slightly ovate leaf structure. Its leaf pinnae feature side margins that meet at 90 to 100 degree angles, with outer margins that are either entire or coarsely toothed. The sporophore stalk extends beyond the trophophore, bearing branches and sporangia in a precise, linear arrangement.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 9 sympatric species; long trophophore stalk and dull green color distinctive
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist meadows, open forests along streams and seeps
Elevation: 1500-3100 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Tulare, Plumas, Butte, Tehama, Tuolumne
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern North America, Iceland
Conservation status
CNPS 4.2
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 minganense native to California?
Yes. Botrychium minganense is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Botrychium minganense grow?
Botrychium minganense occurs in San Bernardino, Tulare, Plumas, Butte, Tehama, Tuolumne, at elevations of 1500-3100 m.
What plant family does Botrychium minganense belong to?
Botrychium minganense is in the Ophioglossaceae family, genus Botrychium.
Is Botrychium minganense rare or endangered?
Botrychium minganense carries California Rare Plant Rank 4.2, state rank S4.
What habitat does Botrychium minganense grow in?
Botrychium minganense grows in Moist meadows, open forests along streams and seeps.
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.