Myriopteris viscida
Viscid lace fern, Viscid Lace Fern
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Family: Pteridaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Myriopteris viscida (Viscid lace fern) is a native California herb in the Pteridaceae family, recognized by distinctive sticky glandular coating.
Viscid lace fern is a California native perennial found in the eastern edge of the San Bernardino Mountains, eastern Peninsular Ranges (including San Jacinto), Mojave Desert, and western edge of the Sonoran Desert in limestone and granite crevices at elevations of 100 to 1,600 meters. With a pale to dull green appearance, this fern grows with short-creeping rhizomes and leaves 10 to 15 centimeters long covered in a distinctive sticky, clear exudate that gives it a viscid (sticky) texture. Growing with delicate fronds that have sparse red-brown scales at the base, the fern features small, approximately oblong segments that remain relatively flat. Its leaves are characterized by young tips that are tightly coiled and segments with sporangia visible along recurved margins. The fern's unique glandular surface and sticky coating make it easily distinguishable from other similar fern species.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 6 sympatric species; key feature is distinctive sticky glandular coating
Habitat and range
Habitat: Limestone, granite crevices, rocks
Elevation: 100-1600 m
Outside California: Baja California
How to tell it apart
vs Achillea: Myriopteris is a fern with spore cases underneath; Achillea is a flowering plant with flat-topped flower clusters.; vs Cheilanthes: These are the same - Cheilanthes is the old name for what's now called Myriopteris.; vs Notholaena: Myriopteris has fuzzy hairs or scales underneath; Notholaena has a smooth waxy powder coating.; vs Pellaea: Myriopteris undersides feel fuzzy or scaly; Pellaea undersides are smooth and leathery.; vs Pentagramma: Myriopteris has fuzzy scales or hairs; Pentagramma undersides are smooth with golden/silver coating or bare.
Frequently asked questions
Is Myriopteris viscida native to California?
Yes. Myriopteris viscida is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Myriopteris viscida belong to?
Myriopteris viscida is in the Pteridaceae family, genus Myriopteris.
What habitat does Myriopteris viscida grow in?
Myriopteris viscida grows in Limestone, granite crevices, rocks.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Myriopteris wootonii — Wooton's lip fern
- Myriopteris clevelandii — Cleveland's lip fern
- Myriopteris cooperae — Cooper's lip fern
- Myriopteris covillei — Coville's lip fern
- Myriopteris gracilis — Slender lip fern
- Myriopteris gracillima — Lace lip fern
- Notholaena californica — California cloak-fern
- Notholaena sp.
- Pellaea andromedifolia — Coffee fern
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.