Pentagramma maxonii
Desert silverback fern, Desert Silverback Fern
(c) Sue Carnahan, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Pteridaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Pentagramma maxonii (Desert silverback fern) is a native California perennial in the Pteridaceae family, recognized by ternate leaf shape and non-sticky surface distinguish from glanduloviscida.
Desert silverback fern is a California native perennial found in the San Bernardino Mountains, San Jacinto Mountains, and southern edges of the Mojave Desert Mountains in generally shaded sites near rocks and boulders at elevations of 300 to 1,400 meters. Its distinctive leaf blades are approximately as wide as long, with sparse minute yellow glands and dense white undersides that give the plant a silvery appearance. Growing with a rhizomatous root system, this fern develops ternate leaves where proximal pinnae are 2 to 5 centimeters long and deeply pinnately lobed. The leaf margins feature intricate pinnule structures, with basal pinnae sections becoming increasingly complex towards the leaf tip. Its unique white exudate and occasional yellow or red glandular surface create a remarkable botanical texture that distinguishes this desert-adapted fern.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; ternate leaf shape and non-sticky surface distinguish from glanduloviscida
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally +- shaded sites, near rocks, boulders
Elevation: 300-1400 m
Outside California: Arizona, New Mexico, Baja California
How to tell it apart
vs Pteridium: Pentagramma is small (<30 cm) and stays in rock crevices; Pteridium is tall (>50 cm) and spreads in open areas.; vs Polypodium: Pentagramma fronds are finely divided multiple times; Polypodium fronds are simple with one row of undivided leaflets.; vs Dryopteris: Pentagramma has golden/silver coating underneath; Dryopteris undersides are green with kidney-shaped spore covers.; vs Aspidotis: Pentagramma segments attach broadly; Aspidotis segments are bead-like with edges rolled under to protect spores.; vs Myriopteris: Pentagramma undersides are smooth or waxy; Myriopteris undersides are fuzzy with hairs or scales.
Frequently asked questions
Is Pentagramma maxonii native to California?
Yes. Pentagramma maxonii is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Pentagramma maxonii belong to?
Pentagramma maxonii is in the Pteridaceae family, genus Pentagramma.
What habitat does Pentagramma maxonii grow in?
Pentagramma maxonii grows in Generally +- shaded sites, near rocks, boulders.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.