Pelazoneuron puberulum var. sonorense

Sonoran maiden fern

Family: Thelypteridaceae · Type: Fern · Native

Conservation status: CNPS 2B.2

Sonoran maiden fern is a rare (CNPS 2B.2) California native fern found in southern California, western Transverse Ranges, San Gabriel Mountains, and San Jacinto Mountains along stream banks and seepage areas at elevations of 50 to 800 meters. This evergreen fern has a distinctive thick blade with deeply lobed pinnae, creating an intricate green texture across its substantial fronds. Growing 50 to 120 centimeters tall and up to 30 centimeters wide, it develops from a creeping rhizome 3 to 8 millimeters wide with lanceolate brown scales. Its fronds feature pinnae with narrowly oblong lobes, densely hairy on axes and between veins, giving the plant a soft, textured appearance. Small round sori with densely hairy indusia are nestled across the blade, contributing to its delicate botanical character.

Habitat: Along streams, seepage areas

Elevation: 50-800 m

Bioregions: SCo, WTR, SnGb, SnJt

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