3. Cheilanthes lanosa (Michx.) D.C. Eaton (hairy lip fern) Pl. 13d,e,f; Map 61
Rhizomes
short- to long-creeping, the scales brown, sometimes with a poorly defined
darker central stripe, linear-lanceolate. Leaves along the rhizome, 7–30(–50)
cm long. Petioles dark brown, hirsute with jointed hairs, lacking scales. Leaf
blades 2 times pinnately compound, lanceolate to linear-lanceolate in outline.
Pinnules 3–5 mm long, oblong to lanceolate, not beadlike, usually lobed,
sparsely pubescent with unmatted hairs on both surfaces. Sori at the tips of
the pinnules, the edge of the narrow, recurved pinnule margins poorly
differentiated. Sporangia with 64 spores. Spores tan. 2n=60. June–September.
Scattered,
mostly south of the Missouri River, but absent from the Mississippi Lowlands
Division (eastern U.S. west
to Texas).
Crevices and ledges of dry sandstone, igneous, and chert rock outcrops and
bluffs.
Plants
of this species can sometimes form relatively large colonies, appearing as a
miniature “forest” of fern leaves on the mossy carpet of rock ledges.