Lava Beds National Monument - Ferns

Ferns in Lava Beds grow on cliffs and bluffs of basaltic rock. The three species found here are Brittlefern ( Cystoperis fragilis ), Goldfern ( Pityrogramma triangularis ), and Broad buckler fern ( Dryopteris dilatata ). An impressive variety of fern species are present in cave entrances including the spreading wood fern ( Dryopteris expansa ) and the western swordfern ( Polystichum munitum ). These species are well outside of their normal range 90 -125 miles away on the northern California coastline.