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Taxon  Report  
Pentagramma triangularis  (Kaulf.) Yatsk., Windham & E. Wollenw.
Gold back fern,   Goldenback fern
Pentagramma triangularis is a fern that is native to California, and also found elsewhere in western North America.
Siskiyou Del Norte Modoc Humboldt Shasta Lassen Trinity Plumas Tehama Butte Mendocino Glenn Sierra Yuba Lake Nevada Colusa Placer Sutter El Dorado Yolo Alpine Napa Sonoma Sacramento Mono Amador Solano Calaveras Tuolumne San Joaquin Marin Contra Costa Alameda Santa Cruz Mariposa Madera San Francisco San Mateo Merced Fresno Stanislaus Santa Clara Inyo San Benito Tulare Kings Monterey San Bernardino San Luis Obispo Kern Santa Barbara Ventura Los Angeles Riverside Orange San Diego Imperial
Subspecies and Varieties:
Genus: Pentagramma
Family: Pteridaceae  
Category: fern  
PLANTS group:Fern
Jepson eFlora section: fern

Communities: Coastal Sage Scrub, Creosote Bush Scrub, Yellow Pine Forest, Foothill Woodland, Chaparral, Valley Grassland, Pinyon-Juniper Woodland, many plant communities
Name Status:
Accepted by JEF + PLANTS

Alternate Names:
JEFPentagramma triangularis ssp. semipallida
JEFPityrogramma triangularis var. triangularis
POWOHemionitis triangularis
Information about  Pentagramma triangularis from other sources
Nursery availability from CNPLX
This plant is available commercially.
Jepson eFlora

USDA PLANTS Profile (PETR7)

Photos on Calflora

Photos on CalPhotos

Google Images

Photos on iNaturalist

ID Tips on PlantID.net

[Wikipedia] Etymology: The Latin specific epithet Pentagramma derives from "five lines" or "stripes" while triangularis derives from "three sided", describing the shape of the fern's broad triangular fronds. (link added by Mary Ann Machi)

[Wikipedia] Native People Medicinal & Decorative Uses: The Indigenous tribes of California would use the goldback fern as an analgesic treatment. The Karuk tribe would use the fern to treat pain related to childbirth, and the Miwok tribe would use the fern as a treatment for toothaches. Additionally, Yurok tribe children would use the fern to create body art with the golden powder.[4] (link added by Mary Ann Machi)


Suggested Citation
Calflora: Information on California plants for education, research and conservation, with data contributed by public and private institutions and individuals. [web application]. 2024. Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database [a non-profit organization]. Available: https://www.calflora.org/   (Accessed: 12/09/2024).