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.[1] In the most recent treatment, six diploid species are recognized.[2]
The distribution of P. triangularis (goldback fern) extends from British Columbia through the western United States into Baja California in northwestern Mexico.[3]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 genus.
^Yatskievych, George; Windham, Michael D.; Wollenweber, Eckhard (1990). "A Reconsideration of the Genus Pityrogramma (Adiantaceae) in Western North America". American Fern Journal. 80 (1): 9–17. doi:10.2307/1547301. JSTOR1547301.
