Botrychium paradoxum
Paradox moonwort
(c) Ed Alverson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ophioglossaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.1
Botrychium paradoxum (Paradox moonwort) is a native California herb in the Ophioglossaceae family, recognized by unique lack of trophophore makes it unmistakable.
Paradox moonwort is a rare (CNPS 2B.1) native perennial found in central Sierra Nevada Mountains in moist meadows and shrubby slopes at elevations of 4,000 to 4,200 meters. This distinctive moonwort lacks a trophophore and instead produces two nearly identical fertile sporophores with stalks 2 to 10 millimeters long, bearing sporangial branches. Growing as a delicate alpine species, it develops sporophores with fertile portions 1.5 to 3 centimeters long, with sporangia that are either spaced or crowded. Its unique botanical structure features sporophores with short, somewhat ascending sporangial branches that are often more widely spaced on one of the two reproductive structures. With a complex chromosomal composition of 2n=180, this rare moonwort represents a fascinating example of alpine botanical adaptation.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 7 sympatric species; unique lack of trophophore makes it unmistakable
Habitat and range
Habitat: Moist meadows and shrubby slopes
Elevation: 4000-4200 m
Outside California: to Washington, southern Alberta, Utah, Colorado
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 paradoxum native to California?
Yes. Botrychium paradoxum is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Botrychium paradoxum belong to?
Botrychium paradoxum is in the Ophioglossaceae family, genus Botrychium.
Is Botrychium paradoxum rare or endangered?
Botrychium paradoxum carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.1, state rank S1.
What habitat does Botrychium paradoxum grow in?
Botrychium paradoxum grows in Moist meadows and shrubby slopes.
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.