Cheilanthes viscida Davenp.

  • Authority

    Mickel, John T. & Smith, Alan R. 2004. The pteridophytes of Mexico. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 88: 1-1054.

  • Family

    Pteridaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Cheilanthes viscida Davenp.

  • Description

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    Species Description - Rhizomes compact, ascending, 2–3 mm diam.; rhizome scales linear, concolorous reddish orange, dull or slightly viscid, flexuous, ca. 3 mm long, entire; fronds to 20 cm long, clumped; stipes 1/3–1/2 the frond length, dark reddish brown to atropurpureous, lustrous, shallowly grooved, with short, erect, glandular hairs ca. 0.1 mm long; blades narrowly oblong, bipinnatepinnatifid to tripinnate; pinnae 5–9 pairs, deltate; adaxial surfaces viscid, occasionally sessile glands visible, often with soil particles adhering; abaxial surfaces viscid with short glandular hairs 0.1 mm; sori on segment lobes, laminar margins curved, but not differentiated; sporangia 64-spored; spores brown.

  • Discussion

    Syntypes. U.S.A. [California:] Sierra Nevada near San Gorgorio Pass, Parry & Lemmon 427, April 1876 (GH [type with no. 272, with 427 crossed out]; isosyntype NY!); California/Nevada: Downieville Buttes & bluffs of White Water Canyon in the Colorado Desert, Apr-May [no year], Lemmon s.n. (isosyntype NY!).

    Cheilanthes viscida is distinct in its glandular hairs, viscid laminar surfaces, and oblong blade shape. In its glandular hairs it most closely resembles C. kaulfussii, which is widespread in Mexico and has broadly pentagonal blades and mostly erect glandular hairs (rather than narrowly oblong blades and mostly sessile glands).

  • Distribution

    Cliffs and rocky slopes, usually on igneous substrates; 750 m. USA (Calif); Mexico.

    California United States of America North America|