Pellaea mucronata
(D. C. Eaton) D. C. Eaton
Tea fern, Bird's foot fern
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) nathantay, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) nathantay, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) nathantay, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaPellaea mucronata is a species of fern known by the common name bird's foot cliffbrake. It is native to much of California, and parts of Oregon, Nevada, Arizona, and Baja California, where it grows in various types of rocky habitat. The subspecies californica is limited to California, while ssp. mucronata can be found outside that state's borders. Each leaf is 7 to 45 centimeters long and is borne on a thin petiole. It is composed of a thin, straight, brown rachis lined with widely spaced leaflets. The leaflets are divided into small narrow terminal segments, or these may be subdivided into another set of segments. The smallest segment measures up to about a centimeter long and is green to dark purplish in color. The edges may be rolled under. The sporangia are located under the edges.
Description
A fern of the Pteridaceae family found in Mediterranean climate regions. The dried fronds are traditionally steeped in hot water for 15-20 minutes to produce a tea.
Edible Uses
Dried fronds are steeped in hot water for 15-20 minutes to make tea.
Traditional Uses
The dried fronds are steeped in hot water for 15-20 minutes to produce a tea.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The thin coating of waxy material on the leaves is probably composed of terpenoids. Traces of galangin are also present.
Distribution
It is a Mediterranean climate plant.
Where It Grows
Mexico, North America, USA,
Notes
There are about 80 Pellaea species. They are also put in the family Sinopteridaceae and Adiantaceae.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Birdfoot cliffbrake, Pacific Coast Fern, Calaguala
References (4)
- Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 230
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 626
- Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 382
- Saunders, C.F., 1948, Edible and Useful Wild Plants. Dover. New York. p 166 (As Pellaea ornithopus)
