Botrychium pumicola
Pumice moonwort, Pumice Moonwort
(c) Timothy McNitt, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ophioglossaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2
Botrychium pumicola (Pumice moonwort) is a native California herb in the Ophioglossaceae family, recognized by enlarged basal pinnae creating ternate appearance diagnostic.
Pumice moonwort is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native perennial found in the northern California Cascades near Mount Shasta and Diller Canyon in open volcanic soils at elevations of 2,700 to 2,800 meters. Its distinctive fern-like fronds emerge with a yellowish-green blade divided into three intricate pinnate parts, with pinnae that broadly overlap and touch each other. Growing to approximately 3 to 4 centimeters tall, this delicate moonwort develops a complex leaf structure with 3 to 6 pairs of pinnae that are broadly fan-shaped and strongly attached to the central rachis. Its leaves feature uniquely positioned side margins on basal pinnae that converge at angles ranging from 90 to 180 degrees, creating an intricate geometric pattern. The sporophore emerges with a stalk approximately one-third to seven-tenths the length of the trophophore, bearing a fertile portion that is deltate to triangular with ascending, strongly overlapping branches.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 5 sympatric species; enlarged basal pinnae creating ternate appearance diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open volcanic soils
Elevation: 2700-2800 m
California counties: Siskiyou
Outside California: to Oregon (Crater Lake to Three Sisters region)
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 pumicola native to California?
Yes. Botrychium pumicola is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Botrychium pumicola grow?
Botrychium pumicola occurs in Siskiyou, at elevations of 2700-2800 m.
What plant family does Botrychium pumicola belong to?
Botrychium pumicola is in the Ophioglossaceae family, genus Botrychium.
Is Botrychium pumicola rare or endangered?
Botrychium pumicola carries California Rare Plant Rank 2B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Botrychium pumicola grow in?
Botrychium pumicola grows in Open volcanic soils.
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.