# Rocky Mountain woodsia (*Woodsia scopulina*)

The Rocky Mountain woodsia is a lovely fern that grows in rocky places. Its delicate, green leaves make it look like a tiny forest all on its own!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Mountain regions

![Rocky Mountain woodsia](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Woodsia_scopulina.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Woodsia_scopulina.jpg)

## Appearance

The Rocky Mountain woodsia is a small, delicate fern with lacy, twice-pinnately compound fronds that are often covered in tiny glandular hairs, giving them a slightly fuzzy look. Its short, brownish stems emerge in tufts from rocky crevices. The bright green fronds unfurl like tiny coiled spirals.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Polypodiopsida
- **Order:** Polypodiales
- **Family:** Woodsiaceae
- **Genus:** Physematium

## Interesting facts

- Ferns are ancient plants, much older than flowering plants, like living fossils!
- Instead of seeds, this fern uses millions of tiny spores to create new plants!
- Its name 'woodsia' honors a famous botanist who loved discovering new plants!
- This fern unrolls its new fronds in a spiral shape called a fiddlehead!

## Special abilities

- **Rock Anchor:** Rocky Mountain woodsia has roots that can anchor firmly into tiny rock crevices, helping it survive where other plants can't.
- **Spore Power:** Rocky Mountain woodsia reproduces using tiny spores, which are light enough to be carried by the wind to new locations.
- **Cold Crusader:** Rocky Mountain woodsia can withstand cold temperatures and harsh mountain winds, helping it thrive in alpine environments.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 10-25 cm
- **Spread:** 10-30 cm
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Mule Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mule-deer) (*Odocoileus hemionus*) — Mule deer may nibble its fronds.
- **Eaten by:** [Elk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elk) (*Cervus canadensis*) — Elk sometimes browse its fronds.
- **Shelter:** Red Wood Ant (*Formica rufa*) — Ants might shelter under its fronds.

## Traits

- [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.
- [Mountain](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/mountain): This habitat trait identifies species found in mountainous regions, characterized by high elevation, steep slopes, and varying climate zones.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch wild plants, as some can be delicate.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Rocky Mountain woodsia?

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 Rocky Mountain woodsia?

10-25 cm

### How wide does Rocky Mountain woodsia spread?

10-30 cm

### Is Rocky Mountain woodsia edible?

No

### Is Rocky Mountain woodsia toxic?

None

### What is Rocky Mountain woodsia's lifecycle?

Perennial

### Where is Rocky Mountain woodsia usually found?

Mountain regions

## Where to spot

- [Mount Rushmore National Memorial](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-rushmore-national-memorial) — South Dakota, US · National Park
- [Anarchist Protected Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/anarchist-protected-area) — British Columbia, CA · Nature Reserve

## 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*)

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Source: [Rocky Mountain woodsia: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rocky-mountain-woodsia)