Adiantum aleuticum (syn: Adiantum pedatum)
Northern Maidenhair Fern

Family: Pteridaceae [Polypodiaceae] (Brake family)

Photo taken at Tumwater Canyon, growing out of a crack in a moist cliff with a small waterfall, shaded

photo of Adiantum aleuticum

Sori:

generally 4 to 6 per segment, recurved segment margin forms a false indusium


Leaves:

petiole reddish-brown to black; blade palmate-pinnate; segments lobed less than halfway to the midrib, often with more than 4 regular lobes; pinnules 12 to 22 mm by 5 to 9 mm


Plant:

Stems used for designs in basketry by the Karok, Makah, Quinault, Tolowa, and Yurok.

Habitat:

shady moist banks, streamsides, and serpentine soils

Distribution of species:

Alaska to California, east to Montana, Colorado, and New Mexico


Distribution of genus:

more or less 200 species: tropical and temperate worldwide