PTERIDACEAE

Cheilanthes wrightii Hooker

Wright's lip fern

( Fertile diploid)
Like Ch. bonariensis, Ch. wrightii is noticeably different from other members of the genus considered here. It is completely glabrous and lacks scales. Its pinnae do not display the "beaded" appearance of most New Mexico Cheilanthes species. Also, the rachis is grooved on the adaxial side. It is enigmatic in the genus, but does seem to belong there.

Silver City, Grant County     20 November 2004