This is a fern I picked in L.A. without knowing it had sori. Yeah, didn't notice them and found out when I brought them home. Weird. I think it is five-finger fern since none of the other ferns found in California fit the looks. Can anyone confirm this or give another species? Thanks in advance!
No, it is not Five Fingered Fern, Adiantum aleuticum. All Adiantum species have asymmetrical lobes, like in this picture: http://www.greatplantpicks.org/Images/VFS/adiantum_aleuticum_04_VFS.jpg Sporangia are located at the edge as seen here: http://picasaweb.google.com/114760146262879802815/NativeIDFinalExam#5549667096289216914
For some of us it would help to have a photo of the top of the leaflet - and get a clear view of how the leaflet attaches itself - whether sessile or with a petiole. Ferns are quite distinct from each other when looking at these traits.
The leaflets look sessile to me. It seems that the leaves have rounded teeth; these protrusions curl to cradle the sori.
Sori densely covering the entire surface is a key feature of Polystichum acrostichoides. Notice that sporangia-bearing leaves are quite different from sterile leaves: http://efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=200004550
Polystichum acrostichoides doesn't seem like a match; it is native to the eastern half of the U.S. I collected the unidentified fern from Los Angeles. If the fern belongs to Polystichum, I will try to find it here.
Located outside the Greek Theatre. California redwood (~15 feet tall) was also present. It seemed the small area it was located in was not severly affected by urban development. It grew at a slight elevation compared to the path I walked on since the earth was uneven.
Oh, I did not notice "L.A.", I thought it is from GA. In this case, I might be not Polystichum at all.
It doesn't look like anything locally (L.A. County below 3000 ft.) native. There are Polystichum at higher elevations. There are lots of 'naturalistic' plantings in Griffith Park. You won't find this one in the list of the park's native and naturalized flora at http://www.friendsofgriffithpark.org/GPNHS/GriffithFlora10-1-07.pdf
