Western Sword Fern

The western sword fern has a wide distribution, ranging from southeast Alaska to southern California. It is prefers to live in the understory (in cool dark places). Western sword fern can be identified by its dark green color and single pinnate frond. The ferns grows in clumps and reproduces by spores. Native Ohlone likely used the roots of ferns for cooking and eating. The leaves/fronds of the plant were used to line cooking pits and baskets, beds and floors. It is host to moths such as Reticulated Decantha Moth (Decantha boreasella), Hodges #6808 (Thallophaga taylorata), and Diarsia esurialis.