Goldback Fern

Goldback fern, Marin County, 2012.

Goldback fern, Pentagramma triangularis, is a cool plant to discover: it's unmistakable; if you find it you're probably in a special place; and, you can make a temporary "fern tattoo" using its leaves. The underside of the leaf becomes so rich with golden spores that it shimmers in gold. Carefully plucking one of these leaves in the right time of year allows one to place it on her skin, gently press, then take it away to reveal an intricate golden fern pattern.

This series of two photos (click the two links in this sentence) shows the remarkable color difference between the green top of the leaf and the gold "back." 

The plant is called P. triangularis because the overall leaf shape is, you guessed it, triangular.

And its habitat is varied, but as I mentioned above, I seem to have found this plant in places that I already have grown fond of. I think this is because it's a small, low-growing plant and you must be moving slowly to see it. If you're moving slowly, staring at the ground, it's hopefully because you're smitten with your surroundings. (Other reasons for this behavior may include a lost wallet or camera, but that is a different story.)