Status: Native
Synonyms:
None
Cheilanthes fendleri is our most common Lip Fern. It prefers north facing slopes with some shade, but can be found among rocks elsewhere. It is glabrous on the adaxial (top) surface, and has brown scales without cilia on the costae. The Cheilanthes ferns are marvelously adapted to an arid climate. They can dessicate to an astounding degree and then rehydrate fully when it rains. In drought conditions, the pinnae roll up exposing the scales on the abaxial (bottom) surface. Less well appreciated is the fact that Cheilanthes fendleri is also well-adapted to cold and snow. It survives a snow cover and temperatures well below freezing.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Cheilanthes fendleri, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Knight Mtn., May 9, 2007
Cheilanthes fendleri, pinna glabrous and costal scales not ciliate (note false indusia), photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, Oct. 16, 2007
Cheilanthes fendleri, macro of adaxial surface, photo Russ Kleinman, Gomez Peak, Nov. 14, 2008
Cheilanthes fendleri, closeup of adaxial surface, photo Russ Kleinman, Gomez Peak, Nov. 14, 2008
Cheilanthes fendleri, macro of adaxial surface, photo Russ Kleinman, Gomez Peak, Nov. 14, 2008
Cheilanthes fendleri, adapted to cold and snow, photo Russ Kleinman, Karen Blisard and Benita Cook, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, December 25, 2009
Cheilanthes fendleri, 4x macro of abaxial surface, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, February 1, 2010
Cheilanthes fendleri, 100x photomicrograph of abaxial scale, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, February 1, 2010
Cheilanthes fendleri, growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, August 22, 2012
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