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Pellaea mucronata

Pellaea mucronata (D.C. Eaton) D.C. Eaton

Birdfoot Cliffbrake, Bird-foot Cliffbrake, Birdsfoot Fern

Pteridaceae (Maidenhair Fern Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: PEMU

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Mature clumps bear fronds to 18 in. The stipes are tough and wiry and the fronds are very finely divided, each segment ending in a sharp point. Fronds are pale- to bluish-green but age to purplish or coffee brown.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb , Fern
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Notes: Fronds up to about 18 inches long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Notes: Not a flowering plant. Reproduces by spores.

Distribution

USA: CA , NV , OR
Native Distribution: Cismontane CA
Native Habitat: Dry, stony places below 6000 ft.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Difficult to establish and needs summer water the first year. After that they increase in size and vigor and are drought tolerant. Birsfoot fern is even tougher and more drought tolerant than coffee fern.

Propagation

Description: Increase by spores.
Commercially Avail: yes

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Pellaea mucronata in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Pellaea mucronata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Pellaea mucronata

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-22
Research By: TWC Staff

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