Nevada marsh fern

Amauropelta nevadensis

The Nevada marsh fern is a lovely green plant that grows in wet places. It has soft, feathery leaves that look like tiny fans and can be found in marshy areas.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Nevada marsh fern has delicate, bright green fronds that grow upright, forming a graceful cluster. Its lacy leaves are divided into many small leaflets, giving it a soft, feathery appearance, distinct from broader-leaved ferns.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPolypodiopsidaOrderPolypodialesFamilyThelypteridaceaeGenusAmauropelta

Photo: Timothy McNittCC BY 4.0 · iNaturalistView original ↗

Nevada marsh fern

Interesting facts

Ferns are ancient plants, older than dinosaurs! They've been on Earth for millions of years.

Instead of seeds, this fern uses tiny dust-like spores to reproduce, which are carried by the wind!

Its fronds unfurl from tightly coiled 'fiddleheads' in spring, looking like a tiny scroll.

Many small marsh creatures find shelter and shade under the wide fronds of this friendly fern.

Special abilities

Nevada marsh fern can release tiny spores from its fronds to create new ferns without needing seeds or flowers.

Nevada marsh fern has roots adapted to waterlogged soil, allowing it to thrive where other plants might drown.

Nevada marsh fern can spread underground using rhizomes, letting it quickly colonize new areas in its marshy home.

Measurements & details

Height: 20-70 cm
Spread: 20-50 cm
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial

Ecological connections

Eaten by

Mule Deer

Odocoileus hemionus

Fronds provide occasional forage for grazing deer.

Eaten by

Grey Field Slug

Deroceras reticulatum

Slugs may browse on its tender young fiddleheads and fronds.

shelters

Pacific Tree Frog

Hyla regilla

Wet fronds create cool, moist hiding spots for small frogs.

Traits

Ornamental

Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.

Grass-Like

Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves.

Shade Tolerant

Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.

Decomposer

Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.

Endangered

Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Plants

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Don't touch plants without asking an adult first, as some can be prickly or cause allergies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Nevada marsh 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 Nevada marsh fern?

20-70 cm

How wide does Nevada marsh fern spread?

20-50 cm

Is Nevada marsh fern edible?

Is Nevada marsh fern toxic?

None

What is Nevada marsh fern's lifecycle?

Perennial

Where is Nevada marsh fern usually found?

Wetlands