Pellaea mucronata var. mucronata

Bird's foot fern

Pellaea mucronata — parent species of Pellaea mucronata var. mucronata

Photo: parent species Pellaea mucronata · (c) Tom Norton, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence

Family: Pteridaceae · Type: Herb · Native

Pellaea mucronata var. mucronata (Bird's foot fern) is a native California herb in the Pteridaceae family, recognized by larger size and spreading, non-overlapping pinnae.

Bird's foot fern is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern Coast Ranges, Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, Great Valley (Sutter Buttes), central western, southwestern, eastern Sierra Nevada, and desert mountain regions in rocky or dry areas at elevations of 20 to 2,400 meters. Its large, distinctive fronds spread 20 to 40 centimeters long and 5 to 15 centimeters wide, with a complex two to three-pinnate blade structure featuring pinnae that spread widely and do not overlap. Growing with an elegant, open growth habit, the fern's fronds ascend gracefully with fertile segments that remain flat and unfolded. Its intricate leaf structure includes pinnae that are generally spreading to widely ascending, creating a delicate, feather-like appearance. The fern's architectural form makes it a striking addition to rocky landscapes and dry habitats across California.

Identification and appearance

Key characters: Co-occurs with 6 species; distinguished by larger size and spreading, non-overlapping pinnae

Habitat and range

Habitat: Rocky or dry areas

Elevation: 20-2400 m

California counties: San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Imperial, Butte, Inyo, Kern, Orange, San Luis Obispo, Ventura, Napa, Monterey, Sacramento, Merced, Amador, Fresno, Nevada, Tehama, Yuba, Colusa, Glenn, Mendocino, Tulare, Alameda, Santa Cruz, Sutter, Mariposa, Tuolumne, Humboldt, Lake, Mono, Sonoma, Marin, Contra Costa, Stanislaus, Calaveras, El Dorado, San Benito, Madera, Placer, Shasta, Solano, Santa Clara, San Mateo, Yolo

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 mucronata var. mucronata native to California?

Yes. Pellaea mucronata var. mucronata is native to California (recorded as native).

Where in California does Pellaea mucronata var. mucronata grow?

Pellaea mucronata var. mucronata occurs in San Bernardino, San Diego, Riverside, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Imperial, Butte, Inyo and other counties, at elevations of 20-2400 m.

What plant family does Pellaea mucronata var. mucronata belong to?

Pellaea mucronata var. mucronata is in the Pteridaceae family, genus Pellaea.

What habitat does Pellaea mucronata var. mucronata grow in?

Pellaea mucronata var. mucronata grows in Rocky or dry areas.

Related species

Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.

All Pellaea species · All Pteridaceae

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.