Botrychium neolunaria
Common american moonwort
(c) Trevor Van Loon, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ophioglossaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.3
Botrychium neolunaria (Common american moonwort) is a native California herb in the Ophioglossaceae family, recognized by overlapping pinnae with entire margins diagnostic.
Common american moonwort is a rare (CNPS 2B.3) native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada and Warner Mountains in moist meadows at elevations of 2,300 to 3,400 meters. Its dark green fronds emerge with an ovate blade 6 to 10 centimeters long and 2 to 4 centimeters wide, featuring 4 to 6 pairs of thick, closely touching pinnae. Growing with a trophophore stalk between zero to 8 millimeters long, this delicate fern has pinnae that form broadly fan-shaped segments with side margins converging at 120 to 180 degrees. The leaf structure includes outer margins that are generally entire, with pinnae that are thick and often overlapping. Its fertile sporophore branches spread slightly upward, producing well-spaced sporangia that generate spores approximately 33 to 39 micrometers in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 8 sympatric species; overlapping pinnae with entire margins diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist meadows
Elevation: 2300-3400 m
Outside California: to Alaska, western Canada, New Mexico, also northeastern North America to Atlantic Coast
Conservation status
CNPS 2B.3
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 neolunaria native to California?
Yes. Botrychium neolunaria is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Botrychium neolunaria belong to?
Botrychium neolunaria is in the Ophioglossaceae family, genus Botrychium.
Is Botrychium neolunaria rare or endangered?
Botrychium neolunaria carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.3, state rank S2.
What habitat does Botrychium neolunaria grow in?
Botrychium neolunaria grows in Moist meadows.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.