Pellaea bridgesii
Bridges' cliff-brake
(c) Matt Berger, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Matt Berger · licence
Family: Pteridaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Pellaea bridgesii (Bridges' cliff-brake) is a native California herb in the Pteridaceae family, recognized by unique unlobed rounded segments and blue-green color.
Bridges' cliff-brake is a California native perennial found in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in granite rock crevices and slopes at elevations of 1,200 to 3,200 meters. This distinctive fern features blue-green fronds clustered on a short-creeping rhizome, with leaves 12 to 25 centimeters long and up to 2 centimeters wide. Growing with a delicate structure, the plant produces densely clustered pinnae less than 2 centimeters long, often folded lengthwise and rounded at the tips. Its rhizome is characterized by light to medium brown scales with a dark mid-stripe, creating an intricate base for the plant's growth. The fern's sporangia form marginal bands mixed with distinctive yellow exudate along the segment margins.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Co-occurs with 4 species; unique unlobed rounded segments and blue-green color
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally granite rock crevices, slopes
Elevation: 1200-3200 m
California counties: Tulare, Tuolumne, Placer, Plumas, Fresno, Alpine, Amador, El Dorado, Inyo, Mariposa, Nevada, Madera, Sierra, Mono, Calaveras, San Francisco, Riverside
Outside California: to Oregon, Idaho
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 bridgesii native to California?
Yes. Pellaea bridgesii is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Pellaea bridgesii grow?
Pellaea bridgesii occurs in Tulare, Tuolumne, Placer, Plumas, Fresno, Alpine, Amador, El Dorado and other counties, at elevations of 1200-3200 m.
What plant family does Pellaea bridgesii belong to?
Pellaea bridgesii is in the Pteridaceae family, genus Pellaea.
What habitat does Pellaea bridgesii grow in?
Pellaea bridgesii grows in Generally granite rock crevices, slopes.
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.