''Myriopteris scabra'', previously known as ''Pellaea scabra'', ''Cheilanthes aspera'' or ''Cheilanthes horridula'', is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
cheilanthoid fern with the common name rough lipfern. It is native to Mexico and to Texas in the United States.
Description
''Myriopteris scabra'' grows from a short creeping rhizome, usually 4–7 mm in diameter with brown scales. The leaves (fronds) are clustered and may range greatly in size from 5–30 cm long. The leaf petiole is black to dark brown. The leaf blade is 1–4 cm wide, linear-oblong to lanceolate, and up to pinnate-pinnatifid to 2-pinnate. The rachis has scattered linear-lanceolate scales and dimorphic pubescence, abaxially sparsely hirsute, adaxially covered with tortuous appressed hairs. The ultimate leaflets are narrowly elliptic to elongate-deltate, not beadlike, and up to 3–5 mm long. The upper leaflet surface has a distinctive rough or spiky surface, which distinguishes this species from most other ''
Myriopteris
''Myriopteris'', commonly known as the lip ferns, is a genus of cheilanthoid ferns. Like other cheilanthoids, they are ferns of dry habitats, reproducing both sexually and apogamously. Many species have leaves divided into a large number of sma ...
'', and gives rise to the specific name ''scabra'' (Latin for rough or coarse). The leaflet edges are only folded under at their margins, barely concealing the
sori (when present), which form a continuous bead around leaflet margins.
[SEINet: ''Myriopteris scabra''](_blank)
/ref>
Range and habitat
''Myriopteris scabra'' is native to northern Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula, and to central and western Texas, extending north into Oklahoma. It grows on rocks and in rock crevices, mostly restricted to limestone, at elevations from 100 to 1400 meters. Some close relatives of ''Myriopteris scabra'' are also calcareous soil/limestone specialists, including '' Myriopteris alabamensis'', '' Myriopteris aemula'', and ''Myriopteris microphylla
''Myriopteris'', commonly known as the lip ferns, is a genus of cheilanthoid ferns. Like other cheilanthoids, they are ferns of dry habitats, reproducing both sexually and apogamously. Many species have leaves divided into a large number of sma ...
''.[SEINet: ''Myriopteris aemula''](_blank)
/ref>[SEINet: ''Myriopteris microphylla''](_blank)
/ref> These species have ranges in the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean islands. Interestingly, another ''Myriopteris
''Myriopteris'', commonly known as the lip ferns, is a genus of cheilanthoid ferns. Like other cheilanthoids, they are ferns of dry habitats, reproducing both sexually and apogamously. Many species have leaves divided into a large number of sma ...
'' limestone specialist '' Myriopteris gracilis'' is not closely related to ''Myriopteris scabra''. ''M. gracilis'' has a range that includes high mountains in the southwest United States and extends to much colder regions including Montana, Idaho, and British Columbia.
Taxonomy
According to plastid DNA sequence analysis, ''Myriopteris scabra'' is in the alabamensis clade of ''Myriopteris
''Myriopteris'', commonly known as the lip ferns, is a genus of cheilanthoid ferns. Like other cheilanthoids, they are ferns of dry habitats, reproducing both sexually and apogamously. Many species have leaves divided into a large number of sma ...
'' and its closest relative is '' Myriopteris fimbriata''.
References
Works cited
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{{Taxonbar, from=Q17196463
Flora of Texas
Flora of Mexico
scabra