Large, upright ferns arising from a creeping sometimes woody rhizome. Fronds pinnate or bi-pinnate, occurring as single stalks or more often in clusters. Sori round, covered by a distinctive kidney-shaped indusium which is attached to the pinna at the sinus of the indusium. A large genus in which most species are tropical.

CALIFORNIA WOOD FERN

Dryopteris arguta (Kaulf.) Watt. (Fig. 25, 26)

Aspidium rigidum var. argutum

Several stout evergreen fronds 1 to 2 1/2 feet high and 6 to 10 inches wide grow from each woody rhizome. Fronds hi-pinnate or nearly so, almost leathery in texture, without hairs on the upper side, but somewhat glandular beneath. Pinnae lanceolate, deeply lobed or incised, with kidney-shaped indusium which makes this species easy to recognize.

Sometimes this species has been called the Coastal Wood Fern. The California Wood Fern is commonly associated in the Sierra with the Sword Fern from 2,000 to 6,000 feet elevation, and they occur together

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Fig. 25 CALIFORNIA WOOD FERN (Dryopteris arguta). Upper: Growing in an open place in the woods. Lower left: View of the lower side of a portion of one pinna to show the kidney-shaped indusium. Lower right: New fronds coming out of the ground.

in semi-moist places throughout the state of California. They attain their greatest size in the foggy coastal mountains. The California Wood Fern may be seen on most trails leading out of Yosemite Valley, especially toward Nevada Falls and Yosemite Falls, and in Sequoia National Park at Bubbs Creek and Crystal Cave areas. It ranges from San Diego County to British Columbia and occurs in Arizona.