# American parsley fern (*Cryptogramma acrostichoides*) The American parsley fern is a lovely green plant that looks like a little forest in your garden! It has delicate, feathery leaves that can make any place feel special. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Forests ![American parsley fern](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cryptogramma_acrostichoides_5862.JPG&width=800) Photo: Walter Siegmund (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cryptogramma_acrostichoides_5862.JPG) ## Appearance The American parsley fern has delicate, bright green fronds divided into many small, rounded leaflets that distinctly resemble parsley. It features two types of fronds: fertile ones that are taller and narrower, and sterile ones that are shorter and broader, creating a distinctive two-tiered appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Polypodiopsida - **Order:** Polypodiales - **Family:** Pteridaceae - **Genus:** Cryptogramma ## Interesting facts - Its common name comes from its fronds looking very similar to the herb parsley! - Some people call it 'rock brake' because it often grows clinging to rocks and cliff sides! - This fern is found on two different continents: North America and parts of Northeast Asia! - Unlike most plants, ferns like this one reproduce using tiny dust-like spores, not seeds or flowers! ## Special abilities - **Spore Scatterer:** American parsley fern has special fertile fronds that release tiny spores, allowing it to reproduce without seeds or flowers, spreading new plants far and wide. - **Rock Dweller:** American parsley fern can grow directly in rocky crevices and cracks on cliffs, using tiny roots to anchor itself where few other plants survive. - **Frondy Feathers:** American parsley fern has two distinct types of fronds (leaves): one for making food and another for making spores, making it highly efficient. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 10-40 cm - **Spread:** 10-40 cm - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Mule deer sometimes browse on its fronds. - **Eaten by:** Long-tailed Vole (*Microtus longicaudus*) — Voles may nibble on young fern fronds. - **Shelter:** [Deer Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — Deer mice find shelter beneath its fronds. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight. - [Cold Hardy](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cold-hardy): Cold hardy plants are able to withstand low temperatures and freezing conditions without significant damage. - [Evergreen](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/evergreen): Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't touch wild plants unless a grown-up says it's safe. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American parsley fern? Compare frond shape, how the leaflets are arranged, the stalk, and any spore clusters you can see. A single detached leaflet often hides the plant's overall growth pattern. Fern Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is American parsley fern? 10-40 cm ### How wide does American parsley fern spread? 10-40 cm ### Is American parsley fern edible? Yes ### Is American parsley fern toxic? None ### What is American parsley fern's lifecycle? Perennial ### Where is American parsley fern usually found? Forests ## Where to spot - [Pasayten Wilderness](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pasayten-wilderness) — Washington, US · Nature Reserve - [Santiam State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/santiam-state-forest) — Oregon, US · Forest - [Mehatl Creek Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mehatl-creek-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Francis Point Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/francis-point-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see American parsley fern](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-parsley-fern) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [American parsley fern: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-parsley-fern)