Polystichum kruckebergii
Kruckeberg's sword fern
Family: Dryopteridaceae · Type: perennial · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 4.3
Kruckeberg's sword fern is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, northern California Cascades, and northern Sierra Nevada Mountains on rocky slopes and in crevices at elevations of 2,100 to 3,200 meters. This small fern has linear to narrow-elliptic blade structures that are 10 to 15 centimeters long, with pinnae generally 6 to 15 millimeters wide and proximal sections that are approximately deltate in shape. Growing with relatively short fronds, the fern has a delicate structure with stipe bases featuring 2 to 3 millimeter wide ovate to lanceolate scales. Its leaves are primarily 1-pinnate, with the longest pinnae less than 1 centimeter in length and characterized by a distinctive narrow growth pattern. The fern's sporangia feature an indusium that is either entire or minutely toothed, adding to its subtle botanical complexity.
Habitat: Rocky slopes, crevices
Elevation: 2100-3200 m
Bioregions: KR, CaRH, n&c SNH
California counties: Alpine, Sierra, Shasta, Butte, Plumas, San Bernardino, Siskiyou, Tuolumne, Riverside
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.