''Pentagramma'' is a small genus of North American

fern A fern (Polypodiopsida or Polypodiophyta ) is a member of a group of vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem) that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers. The polypodiophytes include all living pteridophytes except t ...

s. Until 1990 members of this genus were included in ''

Pityrogramma ''Pityrogramma'', the silverback ferns, or goldback ferns, is a fern genus in the subfamily Pteridoideae of the family Pteridaceae. Species , ''Plants of the World Online'' recognized the following species and hybrids: *'' Pityrogramma aurantia ...

'', and there has been considerable disagreement regarding the species' taxonomy. In the most recent treatment, six diploid species are recognized. The distribution of ''P. triangularis'' (goldback fern) extends from

British Columbia British Columbia (commonly abbreviated as BC) is the westernmost province of Canada, situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Rocky Mountains. It has a diverse geography, with rugged landscapes that include rocky coastlines, sandy beaches, ...

through the western United States into Baja California in northwestern Mexico.C.Michael Hogan, ed. 2010.
‘’Pentagramma triangularis’’ . Encyclopedia of Life.
/ref> ''Pentagramma maxonii'' occurs in New Mexico, Arizona, Sonora, Baja California Sur, California, and Baja California. All other species are restricted to Californian and Baja California. Members of the ''Pentagramma'' genus produce a powdery-waxy secretion on their lower leaf surfaces, called farina. This character is shared with the related ''

Notholaena ''Notholaena'' (from Ancient Greek νόθο(ς) + χλαῖνα), cloak fern, is a genus of ferns in the Cheilanthoideae subfamily of the Pteridaceae. Ferns of this genus are mostly epipetric (growing on rock) or occurring in coarse, gravelly soi ...

'' genus.

Species

, the ''Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World'' recognized the following species: *''

Pentagramma glanduloviscida ''Pentagramma'' is a small genus of North American ferns. Until 1990 members of this genus were included in ''Pityrogramma'', and there has been considerable disagreement regarding the species' taxonomy. In the most recent treatment, six diploid ...

'' Schuettp. & Windham *'' Pentagramma maxonii'' (Weath.) Schuettp. & Windham *'' Pentagramma pallida'' (Weath.) Yatsk., Windham & E. Wollenw. *'' Pentagramma rebmanii'' (Winner & M. G. Simpson) Schuettp. & Windham *''

Pentagramma triangularis ''Pentagramma triangularis,'' commonly known as the gold fern or the goldback fern, is a species of fern in the family Pteridaceae, native to Western North America, with highest abundance in the state of California. Its common name "goldback" ref ...

'' (Kaulf.) Yatsk., Windham & E. Wollenw. *'' Pentagramma viscosa'' (Nutt. ex D. C. Eaton) Schuettp. & Windham

References

External links

Jepson Manual TreatmentUSDA Plants Profile: ''Pentagramma''
Pteridaceae Ferns of California Fern genera {{Pteridaceae-stub