Botrychium rubellum

Red lanceolate moonwort

Family: Ophioglossaceae · Type: perennial · Native

Red lanceolate moonwort is a native perennial found in moist stream environments at elevations around 1,500 meters, typically growing under partial forest canopy. Its distinctive frond features a deep green blade with 3 to 5 pairs of lanceolate to linear pinnae, often with a reddish stripe along its common stalk. Growing with a delicate structure, this moonwort has a trophophore stalk up to 3 millimeters long, with basal pinnae that are enlarged and spread with a characteristic upward curve. Its leaves are uniquely configured with lower pinnules larger and often curving upward, creating an intricate and elegant botanical form. The plant produces a fertile sporophore portion with deltate to ovate branches where sporangia are densely clustered.

Habitat: Moist stream edges under partial canopy

Elevation: 1500 m

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.