Kingdom Plantae Order Polypodiales Genus Cheilanthes Higher classification Cheilanthes | Division Pteridophyta Family Pteridaceae Scientific name Cheilanthes viscida Rank Species | |
Similar Cheilanthes parryi, Cheilanthes newberryi, Cheilanthes covillei, Cheilanthes clevelandii, Cheilanthes | ||
Cheilanthes viscida, reclassified as Myriopteris viscida, is a species of lip fern known by the common names viscid lip fern and viscid lace fern.
It is native to southern California, at elevations of 100–1,600 metres (330–5,250 ft). It is an uncommon member of the flora in rocky areas of the higher Mojave Desert mountains, and in the ecotone of the Peninsular Ranges and the Colorado Desert. Its distribution extends into northern Baja California.
Description
This fern produces frilly leaves up to about 30 centimeters long, each divided into segments which are subdivided, the ultimate segments just a few millimeters long and widely lance-shaped to oblong. The leaf segments bear resin glands which exude a very sticky, clear fluid.
The leaves are also somewhat hairy. The leaf segments have curled edges along which are located the sori with their brown sporangia.