Cyrtomium falcatum

Hollyfern

Family: Dryopteridaceae · Type: perennial · Not Native

Hollyfern is a naturalized perennial found in southern California regions including Santa Ana Mountains, coastal ranges, and San Joaquin Valley on moist cliffs, banks, and rocky crevices at elevations below 900 meters. Growing with large, glossy bright green fronds 30 to 80 centimeters tall, this fern produces pinnae in 4 to 10 pairs with distinctive thickened margins. Its fronds feature elegant, shiny green leaflets with occasionally wavy or slightly toothed edges, creating a rich, dense appearance. The fern's rhizome is characterized by large, light to dark brown ovate scales that range from entire to jagged in texture. This ornamental fern adapts readily to sheltered, moisture-rich environments with its robust and attractive foliage.

Habitat: Generally moist cliffs, banks, crevices

Elevation: < 900 m

Bioregions: NCoRO, SnJV, SCoRO, SCo, TR, PR (Santa Ana Mtns)

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