Botrychium montanum
Western goblin moonwort
(c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ophioglossaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Botrychium montanum (Western goblin moonwort) is a native California herb in the Ophioglossaceae family, recognized by gray-green color and decurrent square pinnae diagnostic.
Western goblin moonwort is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) California native perennial found in southern Cascade Range of the Hauke Mountains, northern Sierra Nevada, and Warner Mountains in shady conifer woodlands at elevations of 1,500 to 3,200 meters. Its distinctive pale gray-green fronds emerge with a unique growth pattern, featuring 1 to 4 pairs of broadly attached pinnae with parallel to converging side margins. Growing with a delicate structure, the plant has a long-stalked trophophore 2 to 15 millimeters long, with a blade 0.5 to 2.5 centimeters wide and irregularly linear to slightly ovate in shape. The pinnae have dentate outer margins and are strongly decurrent, creating an intricate geometric arrangement of leaf segments. Its sporophore stalk extends 1 to 2.5 times the trophophore length, bearing sporangia broadly attached to the main axis or on short branches.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; gray-green color and decurrent square pinnae diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Shady conifer woodlands (especially under
Elevation: 1500-3200 m
California counties: Plumas, Butte
Outside California: to Alaska, Montana
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.1
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 montanum native to California?
Yes. Botrychium montanum is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Botrychium montanum grow?
Botrychium montanum occurs in Plumas, Butte, at elevations of 1500-3200 m.
What plant family does Botrychium montanum belong to?
Botrychium montanum is in the Ophioglossaceae family, genus Botrychium.
Is Botrychium montanum rare or endangered?
Botrychium montanum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S2.
What habitat does Botrychium montanum grow in?
Botrychium montanum grows in Shady conifer woodlands (especially under.
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.