PTERIDACEAE
(Maidenhair fern Family)
Notholaena grayi Davenport
Gray's cloak fern
( Apogamous triploid)
This fern is rarely observed in New Mexico. No New Mexico specimens are housed at herbaria at UNM, NMSU, ENMU, or WNMU, but the Flora of North America project indicates the presence of this species in New Mexico along the Mexican Border. At a glance, it could easily appear to be in the genus Cheilanthes. However, the adaxial surfaces of the pinnae are covered with a whitish farina not seen in the lip ferns.
Upper 50 Year Trail, Golder Ranch, Tuscon AZ 27 March 2005
Upper 50 Year Trail, Golder Ranch, Tuscon AZ 27 March 2005