Woodsia scopulina
Cliff fern
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Family: Woodsiaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Woodsia scopulina (Cliff fern) is a native California herb in the Woodsiaceae family, recognized by mixed hair types on leaf axes and higher elevation range.
Cliff fern is a California native perennial found in the Klamath Ranges, high Cascade Range, Sierra Nevada, San Bernardino Mountains, Modoc Plateau, and White and Inyo Mountains in rocky crevices and rock bases at elevations of 1,300 to 3,500 meters. This delicate fern features leaves up to 32 centimeters long with narrow pinnae 12 to 27 millimeters long that are pinnately lobed with toothed margins. Growing with finely textured fronds, the plant has intricate leaf axes covered in both flat, segmented nonglandular hairs and shorter cylindric glandular hairs. Its leaves have a distinctive acute tip and are relatively narrow, measuring 1.5 to 2 centimeters wide. The sporangia are characterized by narrow, scale-like indusium lobes, giving the fern a delicate and intricate appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 1 sympatric species; distinguished by mixed hair types on leaf axes and higher elevation range
Habitat and range
Habitat: Crevices, rock bases
Elevation: 1300-3500 m
California counties: San Bernardino, Tulare, El Dorado, Inyo, Madera, Mono, Tuolumne, Fresno, Mariposa, Siskiyou, Plumas, Shasta, Sierra, Butte, Trinity, Modoc, Calaveras, Orange, Alpine
Outside California: to Alaska, eastern Canada, western United States
How to tell it apart
vs Cystopteris: Woodsia has symmetrical pinnae and cup-like indusia; Cystopteris has hood-like indusia and tapered pinnae tips.; vs Phacelia: Woodsia is a fern with spores underneath; Phacelia is a flowering plant with coiled flower clusters.; vs Athyrium: Woodsia has round sori with cup-like indusia; Athyrium has elongated, curved sori along veins.
Frequently asked questions
Is Woodsia scopulina native to California?
Yes. Woodsia scopulina is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Woodsia scopulina grow?
Woodsia scopulina occurs in San Bernardino, Tulare, El Dorado, Inyo, Madera, Mono, Tuolumne, Fresno and other counties, at elevations of 1300-3500 m.
What plant family does Woodsia scopulina belong to?
Woodsia scopulina is in the Woodsiaceae family, genus Woodsia.
What habitat does Woodsia scopulina grow in?
Woodsia scopulina grows in Crevices, rock bases.
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.