Description

Sonoran maiden fern is a rare find in moist settings of counties from Santa Barbara County south. The range extends into Arizona and northern Mexico. The long fronds have closely spaced, deeply dissected leaflets. New fronds grow from the creeping rhizome with each new season of growth. This is a fern for moist shade. It might be considered as an alternative to giant chain fern, Woodwardia fimbriata, which may be too large for some gardens. Sonoran maiden fern is said to be evergreen in its native range, but my plants seem to go dormant in the winter cold here in San Jose.