Botrychium simplex
Least moonwort, yosemite moonwort
(c) Superior National Forest, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Ophioglossaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Botrychium simplex (Least moonwort) is a native California herb in the Ophioglossaceae family, recognized by highly variable morphology.
Least moonwort is a California native perennial found in alpine and subalpine regions of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in moist to saturated meadows, seeps, and streamside environments at elevations of 1,500 to 3,800 meters. Its leaf structure is distinctive, with a sporophore and trophophore joined near ground level, producing a delicate fern-like blade less than 12 centimeters long that can range from simple to deeply lobed. Growing with a slender, compact form, this small moonwort has 4 to 6 pairs of fan- to wedge-shaped pinnae that touch or spread apart with entire to slightly crenate outer margins. Its leaf blade is typically ovate, becoming more complex in larger plants with expanded basal pinnae that converge at angles between 45 and 150 degrees. The fertile sporophore portion emerges with linear branches bearing closely spaced sporangia, making it a subtle but intricate alpine botanical gem.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated; highly variable morphology
Habitat and range
Habitat: In moist to saturated moss or sedge meadows, seeps, marshes, along streamsides
Elevation: 1500-3800 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, Modoc, Tehama, Plumas, Mendocino, Butte, Fresno, Tuolumne, Mariposa, El Dorado, Siskiyou, Alpine, Calaveras, Kern, Placer
Outside California: to British Columbia, Montana, Colorado, also north-central to eastern North America, Europe, Japan
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 simplex native to California?
Yes. Botrychium simplex is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Botrychium simplex grow?
Botrychium simplex occurs in San Bernardino, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, Modoc, Tehama, Plumas, Mendocino and other counties, at elevations of 1500-3800 m.
What plant family does Botrychium simplex belong to?
Botrychium simplex is in the Ophioglossaceae family, genus Botrychium.
What habitat does Botrychium simplex grow in?
Botrychium simplex grows in In moist to saturated moss or sedge meadows, seeps, marshes, along streamsides.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
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.