Argyrochosma fendleri

(Kunze) Windham

Amer. Fern J. 77: 40. 1987.

Illustrated
Basionym: Notholaena fendleri Kunze Farrnkräuter 2: 87, plate 136. 1851
Synonyms: Cheilanthes cancellata Mickel Pellaea fendleri (Kunze) Prantl
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 2.

Stem scales brown. Leaves 5–25 cm. Petiole dark brown, 0.75–1.5 mm diam. Blade deltate, 4–6-pinnate proximally, leathery to somewhat herbaceous, abaxially covered by whitish farina, adaxially glabrous or glandular; rachis rounded adaxially. Pinna costae distinctly flexuous, branches arising from prominent angles. Ultimate segments not articulate, dark color of stalks continuing into segment bases abaxially; segment margins plane to recurved, often partially concealing sporangia; veins usually obscure adaxially. Sporangia submarginal, borne on distal 1/4 of secondary veins, containing 64 spores. 2n = 54.


Phenology: Sporulating summer–fall.
Habitat: Rocky slopes and cliffs, usually on granitic or volcanic substrates
Elevation: 1700–3000 m

Distribution

V2 276-distribution-map.gif

Colo., N.Mex., Wyo., Mexico in Sonora.

Discussion

Argyrochosma fendleri is occasionally confused with A. limitanea, which can have slightly flexuous rachises and pinna costae. All A. limitanea specimens with slightly flexuous rachises and costae have 32 spores per sporangium, whereas specimens of A. fendleri consistently have 64. This southern Rocky Mountain species is the only member of the genus that is found on acidic substrates such as granite.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.
... more about "Argyrochosma fendleri"
Michael D. Windham +
(Kunze) Windham +
Notholaena fendleri +
Colo. +, N.Mex. +, Wyo. +  and Mexico in Sonora. +
1700–3000 m +
Rocky slopes and cliffs, usually on granitic or volcanic substrates +
Sporulating summer–fall. +
Amer. Fern J. +
Illustrated +
Cheilanthes cancellata +  and Pellaea fendleri +
Argyrochosma fendleri +
Argyrochosma +
species +