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Types of Ferns Found in New Mexico
Types of Ferns Found in New Mexico. Although ferns are generally though to grow in lush, moist environments, there is a large group of ferns that tolerate the tough desert conditions of New Mexico. This arid to semi-arid environment is ideal for xeric ferns, a group of ferns that have developed special adaptations for survival. They are small to...
Although ferns are generally though to grow in lush, moist environments, there is a large group of ferns that tolerate the tough desert conditions of New Mexico. This arid to semi-arid environment is ideal for xeric ferns, a group of ferns that have developed special adaptations for survival. They are small to decrease water loss through evaporation; they have a coating of hairs, wax or scales that reflect sunlight; they reproduce without fertilization; and they have the ability to dry out and resurrect when moistened. Although there are several types, there are four main genera found in New Mexico.
Lip Ferns
The lip ferns (Cheilanthes spp.) adapt to the New Mexican climate by developing thickened leaf edges that store and capture water. Leaves often have a hairy coating, which deflects the sun. Parry's lip fern (Cheilanthes parryi), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 11, and wooly lip fern (Cheilanthes tomentosa), hardy in USDA zones 6 through 8, both bear leaves with downy hairs. The leaves of Coville's lip fern (Cheilanthes covillei), hardy in USDA zones 7 through 9, are plump and bead-like. Both slender lip fern (Cheilanthes feei), hardy in USDA zones 5 though 8, and graceful lip fern (Cheilanthes yavapensis), hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11, have prominent lip zones.
Cliff Brake Ferns
Cliff brake ferns (Pellaea spp.) bear smooth blue- or gray-green leaflet without hairs or scales. The gray or blue coating protects the leaf from transpiration, an important feature in New Mexico. Fertile and non-fertile leaves have a different appearance. The fertile leaves are smaller with rolled edges. Creeping cliff brake ferns (Pellaea intermedia), hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11, bears roundish gray-green leaflets. Spiny cliff brake (Pellaea truncata), hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11, and birdfoot cliff brake (Pellaea ternifolia), hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11, both bear narrow leaflets on erect stems.
Star-Scaled Cloak Ferns
Star-scaled cloak ferns (Astrolepis spp.) are also known as scaly cloak ferns. They adapt to conditions in New Mexico by growing scales and bearing small, narrow leaves. Star-scaled cloak ferns are generally hardy in USDA zones 8 through 11. The Southwestern cloak fern (Astrolepis integerrima) has dense scales and oblong leaflets, while the scaly cloak fern (Astrolepis sinuata) bears round, lobed leaflets covered in white waxy scales. The Cochise cloak fern has lightly speckled leaflets and erect stems, while the Windham's scaly cloak fern tightly clustered leaflets that are lightly dusted with scales.
Cloaked Ferns
The cloaked ferns (Notholaena spp.) produce triangular or star-shaped fronds. Often, the leaves have a waxy coating and the leaf edges may be curled under, both aspects that help them adapt to arid New Mexico conditions. When viewed from above, the fronds of the star fern (Notholaena standleyi), hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11, have a distinct star shape. Its underside is coated in yellow. Gray's cloak fern (Notholaena grayi), hardy in USDA zones 9 through 11, and scaled cloak fern (Notholaena aschenborniana), hardy in USDA zones 10 through 11, have dark green, divided leaves with a mealy coating.
