Cheilanthes

Cheilanthes, or lip ferns, is a genus consisting of around 180 species which are widespread in temperate and tropical regions worldwide.

They are small, evergreen ferns which inhabit areas with dry, arid climates. Some species grow well in full sun.

The fronds of Cheilanthes are often have cottony hairs and/or woolly scales on the underside, an adaptation which has evolved to moderate the temperature around the fronds, reflect light and heat, and to catch whatever moisture may be available to the plant. In extremely dry condition the entire fern can curl-up and will rehydrate when water becomes available again.

Some species of Notholaena and Pellaea may be difficult to distinguish from Cheilanthes. Notholaena, along with the genera Argyrochosma, Aspidotis, Astrolepis, and Mildella, were formerly included in Cheilanthes but are now classified separately.

The 1997 IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants lists ten species as threatened, including two which are only found in California (Cheilanthes cooperae and Cheilanthes viscida).

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