Polypodium scouleri
Leather-leaf fern
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Family: Polypodiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Polypodium scouleri (Leather-leaf fern) is a native California herb in the Polypodiaceae family, recognized by thick leathery evergreen fronds, conspicuously white-glaucous rhizome, and immediate coastal habitat.
Leather-leaf fern is a California native perennial found in northern coastal regions including North Coast, Central Coast, San Francisco Bay Area, and Southern California coastal areas in coastal habitats, generally in heavy fog-drip zones at elevations below 600 meters. This distinctive evergreen fern maintains its thick, leathery fronds year-round, with blade-like leaves 6 to 18 centimeters long in a deltate to oblong-ovate shape. Growing with a conspicuously white-glaucous rhizome 3 to 12 millimeters in diameter, the fern produces dark brown, shiny scales near the leaf base. Its thick, firm fronds have crenate segments with thickened margins and rounded leaf tips, creating a robust and textured appearance. The fern produces spore-bearing structures in oval to round clusters 2 to 6 millimeters long, often partially merged across the leaf surface.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; distinguished by thick leathery evergreen fronds, conspicuously white-glaucous rhizome, and immediate coastal habitat
Habitat and range
Habitat: Coast, generally in heavy fog-drip or salt-spray zones, on plants (especially Douglas fir,
Elevation: < 600 m
California counties: San Mateo, San Francisco, Mendocino, Santa Barbara, Del Norte, Humboldt, Marin, San Bernardino, Sonoma, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Cruz
Outside California: to British Columbia, Baja California (Guadalupe Island)
How to tell it apart
vs Polystichum: Polypodium sori are completely naked; Polystichum sori have umbrella-like covers attached at the center.; vs Dryopteris: Polypodium sori lack any covering; Dryopteris sori have kidney-shaped covers attached at the side.; vs Pentagramma: Polypodium sori are on the upper leaf surface; Pentagramma has powder on the lower leaf surface.; vs Pteridium: Polypodium sori are round and exposed; Pteridium sori are hidden under rolled-back leaf margins.; vs Woodwardia: Polypodium has round sori; Woodwardia has elongated chain-like sori in parallel rows.
Frequently asked questions
Is Polypodium scouleri native to California?
Yes. Polypodium scouleri is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Polypodium scouleri grow?
Polypodium scouleri occurs in San Mateo, San Francisco, Mendocino, Santa Barbara, Del Norte, Humboldt, Marin, San Bernardino and other counties, at elevations of < 600 m.
What plant family does Polypodium scouleri belong to?
Polypodium scouleri is in the Polypodiaceae family, genus Polypodium.
What habitat does Polypodium scouleri grow in?
Polypodium scouleri grows in Coast, generally in heavy fog-drip or salt-spray zones, on plants (especially Douglas fir,.
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.