Native mainly to western North America the fronds grow 6 - 43 inches high, and are fan-shaped, light to medium green with dark brown to black stems. It is deciduous. It prefers fertile, moist soil in rock crevices near streams. It tolerates serpentinite rock well, and is confined to this mineral-rich rock in some areas. Common names include serpentine maidenhair and five-fingered fern.
