I have a fern garden that was neglected in our 10 year drought here in S. California. I am trying to get it made right and trying to re-identify some of the ferns I collected over the years. I lost some valuable ones, and may want to add a few more.
This first example is growing in two locations and is 3′ tall in one. Here are a few more pics. Green stem, sori is round, tall plant some fronds 3 feet high, rachis or stalk is bare for at least a foot before frond starts, has spreading ryzomes. I thought it might be thelypteris palustris or thelypteris puberlua? Some of these ferns I collected locally years ago and some were traded from the LA fern society and other bought at nurseries. Thanks in advance for any assistance! I am looking for an active fern group with knowledgable members and hope this is the place.
No ideas? I was hoping for a robust discussion! HA
Hi Robert, I think that is likely to be T. puberula. I have collected it in Santa Barbara county, but it is fairly rare in California, however I would expect it to do OK in a garden in San Diego. Here is the description: http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=67105
I am currently working on a taxonomic revision with Alan Smith at UC Berkeley, so the name will likely change in the next year or so.
Susan, Thanks so much for your reply and attachment. Everything looks very similar except in your description it mentions “densely hairy on the veins and axes” however this example seems pretty smooth except near the bottom. Also the sori are more gray than brown. I am in Ventura California and it’s a coastal community which during the months between April and July it is overcast most of day with morning fog and temperature is around 75° Fahrenheit. This microclimate tends to favor the ferns has 10 miles inland from here it’s 100°! Thank you again for helping me narrow down this species. I have a few more outstanding ones which I’m trying to identify, and I look forward to seeing your comments!
Susan,
My wife thinks we may have collected this hiking near Ojai, California. I am still trying to square that is is not “densely hairy on axes, veins, and between veins” as in the description on the link?
Rob