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Marcus, Joseph A.

Cheilanthes wrightii

Cheilanthes wrightii Hook.

Wright's Lip Fern

Pteridaceae (Maidenhair Fern Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: CHWR

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Fern creeping by stems. Fronds 10-20(25) cm in length, upright, lanceolate, bipinnate-pinnatifid or tripinnatifid. Sporulates in summer and fall. Can grow in full sun or part shade.

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Fern
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Complexity: Bipinnate , Tripinnate
Leaf Shape: Lanceolate , Linear
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Pinnatifid
Leaf Apex: Acuminate
Leaf Texture: Leathery
Size Notes: Fronds up to about 10 inches long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Notes: Not a flowering plant. Reproduces by spores.

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM , TX
Native Distribution: Big Bend area of TX, southern NM, southern AZ and northern MX.
Native Habitat: Rocky areas on igneous soils.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Garden ornamental.
Interesting Foliage: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Clump Division
Description: Propagation is by spores and creeping stems.

Bibliography

Bibref 293 - Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas (1979) Correll, D. S. & M. C. Johnston

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Cheilanthes wrightii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Cheilanthes wrightii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cheilanthes wrightii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-02-01
Research By: Joseph A. Marcus

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