Western sword fern
Polystichum munitum
A perennial, evergreen fern with arching fronds, often abundant beneath moist conifer and mixed-evergreen forest. It is a familiar part of California’s redwood understory.
- Family
- Dryopteridaceae
- Regional status
- Native
- Habitat
- Shaded conifer forest
- Safety
- Not evaluated
A closer look.
The Forest Service describes leathery fronds that can persist for several years and round spore-bearing sori on their undersides. Moist, shaded sites favor this fern. Its broader Pacific coastal distribution reaches from southeastern Alaska to Baja California, with scattered inland populations.
USDA Forest Service · Kristin Zouhar, 2015 ↗ · National Park Service ↗
Compared with linked references on October 26, 2026. This is source verification, not independent expert review or an identification guarantee. Seasonal tags are approximate. Specimen maps show a selected historical subset.
Through the seasons
Evergreen fronds allow observation throughout the year. New-frond growth and spore release vary by region; Pacific Northwest timing in the Forest Service review should not be treated as a California forecast.
Knowledge has a context.
Historical accounts are presented as attributed records, not endorsed practices, medical advice, or permission to harvest.
No historical-use account has been reviewed. A future entry requires a named community, a traceable source, and appropriate cultural review.
A record of where it was found.
A Pacific coastal fern, especially associated with moist forests in northwestern California. Its broader range extends well beyond this California map; selected specimen locations are not a complete range.
Shaded conifer forest
Northern California · Central California
Historical collections are evidence of recorded locations, not a continuous range, current presence, abundance, native status, or confirmed identification. Unmapped places are not evidence of absence.
What this map includes
From the first 300 results returned by the stored GBIF query, 64 specimens met the coordinate and reuse filters; 236 were excluded. The query matched 844 records at retrieval. This subset is not random or exhaustive.
Records are labeled California, have coordinates, and lack GBIF geospatial-issue flags. We exclude known coordinate uncertainty above 25 km and use only CC0 or CC BY 4.0 records. 47 included records do not report coordinate uncertainty. A 0.25° cell is about 28 km north to south; it does not show an exact collecting site.
Matched taxon: Polystichum munitum ↗.
Inspect the stored query ↗ · Download the attributed snapshot ↓
USDA Forest Service · Kristin Zouhar, 2015 ↗ · National Park Service ↗
Data publishers & selected records
Dataset citations apply to the contributing specimens. The snapshot retains record IDs, original ownership, and reuse licenses; coordinates are generalized to a quarter-degree grid.
- University of British Columbia Herbarium (UBC) - Vascular Plant Collection ↗
PJ Lipsen L, Bucci P (2026). University of British Columbia Herbarium (UBC) - Vascular Plant Collection. Version 16.44. University of British Columbia. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.5886/rtt57cc9 accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- UTEP Plants (Arctos) ↗
Mayfield-Meyer T, Zhuang V (2026). UTEP Plants (Arctos). Version 5.117. University of Texas at El Paso Biodiversity Collections. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/yhb6ky accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- Vanderbilt University Herbarium ↗
Botanical Research Institute of Texas (2026). Vanderbilt University Herbarium. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/fax7cj accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- UCSB - University of California Santa Barbara Herbarium ↗
Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (2026). UCSB - University of California Santa Barbara Herbarium. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/qpxmw0 accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- Ferns at the Central Siberian Botanical Garden herbarium collections (NS, NSK) ↗
Kovtonyuk N, Han I, Gatilova E, Ovchinnikov Y, Ovchinnikova S, Troshkina V, Lukmanova L, Ebel A, Yakubov V, Lashchinskiy N, Gureyeva I, Artemov I, Zibzeev E (2021). Ferns at the Central Siberian Botanical Garden herbarium collections (NS, NSK). Version 1.4. Central Siberian Botanical Garden SB RAS. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/7k3kz6 accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- Intermountain Herbarium (Vasc. & Algae) ↗
Utah State University (2026). Intermountain Herbarium (Vasc. & Algae). Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/t43wjj accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- Tropicos MO Specimen Data ↗
Teisher J, Stimmel H (2026). Tropicos MO Specimen Data. Missouri Botanical Garden. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/hja69f accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- Miami University Turrell Herbarium - Vascular Plants ↗
W.S. Turrell Herbarium (MU) (2026). Miami University Turrell Herbarium - Vascular Plants. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/vzkvuf accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- NMNH Extant Specimen Records (USNM, US) ↗
Orrell T, Informatics and Data Science Center - Digital Stewardship (2026). NMNH Extant Specimen Records (USNM, US). Version 1.113. National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/hnhrg3 accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- University of Washington Herbarium (WTU) - Vascular Plant Collection ↗
Giblin D (2026). University of Washington Herbarium (WTU) - Vascular Plant Collection. University of Washington Burke Museum. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/plngb6 accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- University of Idaho, Stillinger Herbarium Vascular Plants ↗
Turck D (2026). University of Idaho, Stillinger Herbarium Vascular Plants. Version 1.43. Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/8htpvx accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- R. L. McGregor Herbarium Vascular Plants Collection ↗
Bentley A, Morse C (2026). R. L. McGregor Herbarium Vascular Plants Collection. University of Kansas Biodiversity Institute. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/htptzr accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- University of South Florida Herbarium (USF) ↗
Franck A R, Bornhorst K (2026). University of South Florida Herbarium (USF). Version 7.445. USF Water Institute. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/mdnmzb accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- KNFSC - Klamath National Forest Scott-Salmon District ↗
USDA Forest Service (FS) (2026). KNFSC - Klamath National Forest Scott-Salmon District. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/pxfvtx accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- University of Louisiana at Monroe Herbarium, R. Dale Thomas Collection ↗
Botanical Research Institute of Texas (2026). University of Louisiana at Monroe Herbarium, R. Dale Thomas Collection. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/sgspw4 accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- Edinburgh (E) Herbarium Specimens ↗
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (2026). Edinburgh (E) Herbarium Specimens. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/ypoair accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- The New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY) ↗
Ramirez J, Watson K, Feder L, Gjieli E, Sessa E (2026). The New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY). Version 1.104. The New York Botanical Garden. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/6e8nje accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Philecology Herbarium ↗
Botanical Research Institute of Texas (2026). Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Philecology Herbarium. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/7nd66f accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- Tropicos Specimens Non-MO ↗
Teisher J, Stimmel H (2026). Tropicos Specimens Non-MO. Version 1.122. Missouri Botanical Garden. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/rxbp4w accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- Arizona State University Vascular Plant Herbarium ↗
Arizona State University Biocollections (2026). Arizona State University Vascular Plant Herbarium. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/a2o8vy accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- University of Vermont, Pringle Herbarium ↗
The University of Vermont Pringle Herbarium (2026). University of Vermont, Pringle Herbarium. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/zsgiog accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- STNF - Shasta-Trinity National Forest Herbarium ↗
USDA Forest Service (FS) (2026). STNF - Shasta-Trinity National Forest Herbarium. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/rkp6nr accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- Carnegie Museum of Natural History Herbarium ↗
Carnegie Museums (2026). Carnegie Museum of Natural History Herbarium. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/d51v1f accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
- CAS Botany (BOT) ↗
Magnaghi E, Fong J (2026). CAS Botany (BOT). Version 157.669. California Academy of Sciences. Occurrence dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/7gudyo accessed via GBIF.org on 2026-10-26.
http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/legalcode · accessed October 26, 2026
View 64 included specimen records
- GBIF 3946846377 ↗ · 2022Tropicos Specimens Non-MO · Gregory A. Wahlert · Missouri Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 4032170173 ↗ · 2022Tropicos MO Specimen Data · Gregory A. Wahlert · Missouri Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 4608090604 ↗ · 2022UCSB - University of California Santa Barbara Herbarium · Gregory A. Wahlert · License
- GBIF 3799494797 ↗ · 2019UCSB - University of California Santa Barbara Herbarium · David L. Magney · License
- GBIF 2573051264 ↗ · 2019University of Vermont, Pringle Herbarium · S. Fawcett; W. Freyman & B. Baldwin · University of Vermont · License
- GBIF 4073813369 ↗ · 2019University of Idaho, Stillinger Herbarium Vascular Plants · Daniel Turck, Quinn Buzzard · Stillinger Herbarium, University of Idaho · License
- GBIF 4073860328 ↗ · 2019University of Idaho, Stillinger Herbarium Vascular Plants · Daniel Turck, Quinn Buzzard · Stillinger Herbarium, University of Idaho · License
- GBIF 4073865301 ↗ · 2019University of Idaho, Stillinger Herbarium Vascular Plants · Daniel Turck, Quinn Buzzard · Stillinger Herbarium, University of Idaho · License
- GBIF 2575864823 ↗ · 2018CAS Botany (BOT) · York, Dana · License
- GBIF 5069305368 ↗ · 2018Intermountain Herbarium (Vasc. & Algae) · J.L. Qu; M.J. Song · Utah State University · License
- GBIF 5833133386 ↗ · 2018Intermountain Herbarium (Vasc. & Algae) · J.L. Qu; M.J. Song · Utah State University · License
- GBIF 5833133405 ↗ · 2018Intermountain Herbarium (Vasc. & Algae) · J.L. Qu; M.J. Song · Utah State University · License
- GBIF 5833133572 ↗ · 2018Intermountain Herbarium (Vasc. & Algae) · J.L. Qu; M.J. Song · Utah State University · License
- GBIF 5833133591 ↗ · 2018Intermountain Herbarium (Vasc. & Algae) · J.L. Qu; M.J. Song · Utah State University · License
- GBIF 5833133402 ↗ · 2018Intermountain Herbarium (Vasc. & Algae) · J.L. Qu · Utah State University · License
- GBIF 4073887051 ↗ · 2017University of Idaho, Stillinger Herbarium Vascular Plants · Megan Ruffley, Niels Mitchell · Stillinger Herbarium, University of Idaho · License
- GBIF 3312577658 ↗ · 2017Edinburgh (E) Herbarium Specimens · Edinburgh Howick Oregon California (2017), · License
- GBIF 3312577682 ↗ · 2017Edinburgh (E) Herbarium Specimens · Edinburgh Howick Oregon California (2017), · License
- GBIF 5887309462 ↗ · 2016University of Washington Herbarium (WTU) - Vascular Plant Collection · Lowell Ahart, John Dittes, Josephine Guardino. · University of Washington · License
- GBIF 6176446929 ↗ · 2016University of Idaho, Stillinger Herbarium Vascular Plants · Megan Ruffley, Megan Smith · Stillinger Herbarium, University of Idaho · License
- GBIF 5887528024 ↗ · 2015University of Washington Herbarium (WTU) - Vascular Plant Collection · Lowell Ahart · University of Washington · License
- GBIF 5141179805 ↗ · 2015CAS Botany (BOT) · Hill, Avery · License
- GBIF 1426419635 ↗ · 2013CAS Botany (BOT) · Crowe, R.; Hinman, E.; Johnson, C.; Phillips, K. · License
- GBIF 1426419921 ↗ · 2013CAS Botany (BOT) · Crowe, R.; Hinman, E.; Johnson, C.; Phillips, K. · License
- GBIF 3969824183 ↗ · 2012Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Philecology Herbarium · Mitch Provance · Botanical Research Institute of Texas · License
- GBIF 5074155446 ↗ · 2010Miami University Turrell Herbarium - Vascular Plants · D.G. Kelch; Kathy Kosta · License
- GBIF 1882649414 ↗ · 2008University of South Florida Herbarium (USF) · S. R. Hill · License
- GBIF 1929314826 ↗ · 2008The New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY) · S. R. Hill · The New York Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 233101229 ↗ · 2008R. L. McGregor Herbarium Vascular Plants Collection · Caleb A. Morse · License
- GBIF 1929820472 ↗ · 2008The New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY) · C. A. Morse · The New York Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 2447362190 ↗ · 2007The New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY) · L. Ahart · The New York Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 1318806664 ↗ · 2006NMNH Extant Specimen Records (USNM, US) · P. M. Peterson, J. Saarela & C. Sears · License
- GBIF 1426054324 ↗ · 2006CAS Botany (BOT) · Peterson, P. M.; Saarela, J. M.; Sears, C. J. · License
- GBIF 1988107660 ↗ · 2006University of British Columbia Herbarium (UBC) - Vascular Plant Collection · P. M. Peterson|Jeffery M. Saarela|Christopher J. Sears · The University of British Columbia · License
- GBIF 2572965175 ↗ · 2006University of Vermont, Pringle Herbarium · E. Sigel · University of Vermont · License
- GBIF 177009505 ↗ · 2005R. L. McGregor Herbarium Vascular Plants Collection · Caleb A. Morse; Elizabeth F. Smith · License
- GBIF 177009507 ↗ · 2005R. L. McGregor Herbarium Vascular Plants Collection · Caleb A. Morse; Elizabeth F. Smith · License
- GBIF 1928769454 ↗ · 2005The New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY) · C. A. Morse · The New York Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 3969824184 ↗ · 2002Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Philecology Herbarium · Richard Spjut · Botanical Research Institute of Texas · License
- GBIF 1988215298 ↗ · 2000University of British Columbia Herbarium (UBC) - Vascular Plant Collection · G. K. Helmkamp|E. A. Helmkamp · The University of British Columbia · License
- GBIF 3969628161 ↗ · 2000Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Philecology Herbarium · G. K. Helmkamp; E. A. Helmkamp · Botanical Research Institute of Texas · License
- GBIF 2859009321 ↗ · 2000Carnegie Museum of Natural History Herbarium · Kaut, C.S. · Carnegie Museum of Natural History · License
- GBIF 5103617246 ↗ · 1999UTEP Plants (Arctos) · Collector(s): George K. Helmkamp · License
- GBIF 1882649253 ↗ · 1998University of South Florida Herbarium (USF) · C. C. Hughes · License
- GBIF 1928672974 ↗ · 1997The New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY) · W. Hess · The New York Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 1928593277 ↗ · 1996The New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY) · N. C. Goldstein · The New York Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 1931043482 ↗ · 1996The New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY) · N. C. Goldstein · The New York Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 4905175335 ↗ · 1994STNF - Shasta-Trinity National Forest Herbarium · Darian La Brie · License
- GBIF 4061569312 ↗ · 1993Tropicos Specimens Non-MO · Heidi H. Schmidt|Amy Pool · Missouri Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 4101775749 ↗ · 1993University of Louisiana at Monroe Herbarium, R. Dale Thomas Collection · H. H. Schmidt; A. Pool · Botanical Research Institute of Texas · License
- GBIF 4102400532 ↗ · 1993Vanderbilt University Herbarium · H. H. Schmidt; A. Pool · Botanical Research Institute of Texas · License
- GBIF 6194661526 ↗ · 1988Tropicos MO Specimen Data · George Yatskievych|Kay Yatskievych · Missouri Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 2884937374 ↗ · 1985Arizona State University Vascular Plant Herbarium · D. Keil · License
- GBIF 5103599317 ↗ · 1985UTEP Plants (Arctos) · Collector(s): David J. Keil · License
- GBIF 1258060034 ↗ · 1984Tropicos MO Specimen Data · George Yatskievych|Kay McCrary · Missouri Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 1259860051 ↗ · 1984Tropicos Specimens Non-MO · George Yatskievych|Kay McCrary · Missouri Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 1931350475 ↗ · 1984The New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY) · G. A. Yatskievych · The New York Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 4031556690 ↗ · 1984Tropicos MO Specimen Data · George Yatskievych|Kay McCrary · Missouri Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 4061520749 ↗ · 1984Tropicos Specimens Non-MO · George Yatskievych|Kay McCrary · Missouri Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 4061966336 ↗ · 1984Tropicos Specimens Non-MO · George Yatskievych|Kay McCrary · Missouri Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 3122892105 ↗ · 1983Ferns at the Central Siberian Botanical Garden herbarium collections (NS, NSK) · Коропачинский И.Ю.|Смирнов И.А.|Молчанов Е.Ф. · License
- GBIF 4928451417 ↗ · 1981KNFSC - Klamath National Forest Scott-Salmon District · Marla Shapiro · License
- GBIF 1928765426 ↗ · 1981The New York Botanical Garden Herbarium (NY) · J. R. Shevock · The New York Botanical Garden · License
- GBIF 2270254477 ↗ · 1980UCSB - University of California Santa Barbara Herbarium · Martin Fletcher · License
Darker = more included records, not abundance
Boundary: US Census Bureau TIGERweb ↗ · locations generalized to 0.25° cells
Trace the record.
References are attached to specific parts of this record. A citation is a route to evidence; it is not a claim that every field has completed review.
- 01Polystichum munitum — Fire Effects Information System ↗
USDA Forest Service · Kristin Zouhar, 2015
Supports: Evergreen fronds, moist forest habitat, North American distribution, and seasonal development; regional phenology varies.
- 02Plants — Redwood National and State Parks ↗
National Park Service
Supports: Forest ecology and associated species; does not support an exact statewide range map.
- 03GBIF occurrence records & citation guidance ↗
GBIF Secretariat and contributing data publishers
Supports: Specimen occurrence snapshot. Each contributing dataset, DOI where available, record identifier, and license is retained in the downloadable map data.
- 04TIGERweb — States and Counties ↗
US Census Bureau
Supports: Generalized California state outline only; does not imply a species distribution.