PTERIDACEAE

Pellaea atropurpuea (Linnaeus) Link

Purple cliff-brake

( Apogamous triploid)
This fern is by far the widest ranging member of the genus, from Vermont to the border of California, from South Dakota to south Texas and Georgia. The long, narrow ultimate segments of its fertile leaves and the short, curly, appressed pubescence of its rachis make it distinctive. This plant also produces sterile leaves with broadly elliptical ultimate segments.

STERILE FRONDS


Georgetown Road, Pinos Altos Range, Grant County     17 September 2005