Description

While California is home to a great variety of narrow endemic plants (i.e. plants found within a very narrow geographic range), it is also home to many wide-ranging species. The five finger fern is one such plant. It ranges from Alaska to Mexico, with isolated populations even occurring in the north east US and eastern Canada. Five finger fern grows in an expanding clump of thin black stems topped with multiple fronds of airy foliage. Adiantum aleuticum prefers a cool, shady setting in continual moisture. One often sees them clinging to moist rock faces along creeks. In a shady garden it can be well maintained with rich soil and regular water. Five finger fern will go dormant in the winter.