Pellaea andromedifolia
Coffee fern
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Pteridaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Pellaea andromedifolia (Coffee fern) is a native California herb in the Pteridaceae family, recognized by large size, triangular blade, and long-creeping rhizome.
Coffee fern is a California native perennial found in the North Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Central Western California, and Southwest California in generally rocky or dry areas at elevations of 30 to 1,800 meters. This fern features long-creeping rhizomes with distinctive tan to orange-brown scales, producing green to purplish fronds 20 to 60 centimeters long and 10 to 20 centimeters wide. Growing with light brown stipes less than 3 millimeters wide, the fern develops elongate-triangular blades that are 3 to 4 times pinnate with segments typically 6 to 15 millimeters long. Its leaf segments have rounded to obtuse tips, often slightly notched, creating a delicate and intricate foliage structure. The fern reproduces through sporangia that can produce 32 or 64 spores, contributing to its resilience in rocky habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 5 species; distinguished by large size, triangular blade, and long-creeping rhizome
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally rocky or dry areas
Elevation: 30-1800 m
California counties: Tulare, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Benito, San Diego, Santa Clara, Tuolumne, Los Angeles, Kern, Orange, Santa Barbara, Ventura, Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, Fresno, Humboldt, Lake, Mariposa, Mendocino, Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Napa, Stanislaus, Sutter, Sonoma, Amador, Marin, El Dorado, Nevada, Solano, Calaveras, Sacramento, Tehama, Merced, Colusa, Glenn, Shasta, Yolo, Placer, Yuba
Outside California: Baja California
How to tell it apart
vs Myriopteris: Flip a leaflet - Pellaea is smooth underneath, Myriopteris feels fuzzy or scaly with hairs or scales.; vs Adiantum: Pellaea has thick, stiff leaflets; Adiantum leaflets are delicate and paper-thin.; vs Pentagramma: Pellaea spore cases cluster only at vein tips; Pentagramma has them scattered along the entire vein length.; vs Lonicera: Pellaea is a fern with separate leaflets; Lonicera is a woody vine or shrub with flowers.; vs Euphorbia: Pellaea is a fern; Euphorbia has milky sap and small flowers with colorful bracts.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pellaea andromedifolia native to California?
Yes. Pellaea andromedifolia is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Pellaea andromedifolia grow?
Pellaea andromedifolia occurs in Tulare, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Benito, San Diego, Santa Clara, Tuolumne and other counties, at elevations of 30-1800 m.
What plant family does Pellaea andromedifolia belong to?
Pellaea andromedifolia is in the Pteridaceae family, genus Pellaea.
What habitat does Pellaea andromedifolia grow in?
Pellaea andromedifolia grows in Generally rocky or dry areas.
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.