Pentagramma sp.
Goldback or silverback fern, Goldback Or Silverback Fern
Family: Pteridaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Pentagramma sp. (Goldback or silverback fern) is a native California perennial in the Pteridaceae family.
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 sp. native to California?
Yes. Pentagramma sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Pentagramma sp. belong to?
Pentagramma sp. is in the Pteridaceae family, genus Pentagramma.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Pentagramma triangularis — Goldback fern
- Pentagramma viscosa — Coastal silverback fern
- Pentagramma glanduloviscida — San diego silverback fern
- Pentagramma maxonii — Desert silverback fern
- Pentagramma pallida — Frosty silverback fern
- Pentagramma rebmanii — Rebman's silverback fern
- Pteridaceae sp. — Brake family
- Pteris cretica — Cretan brake
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.