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Notholaena standleyi
Notholaena standleyi Maxon
Star Cloak Fern, Northern Desert Star Cloakfern
Pteridaceae (Maidenhair Fern Family)
Synonym(s): Cheilanthes hookeri, Cheilanthes standleyi
USDA Symbol: NOST
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Saxicolous, rhizomatous, herbaceous perennial to about 10 inches in height. Frond blades triangular or usually pentagonal, about 3 inches long and 2-1/2 inches wide, bipinnitifid or tripinnatifid, abaxial side coated with a cream,yellowish, gold or green and brown farina. Sori line the abaxial pinnule margins. During drought, the frond blades curl into a ball-shaped configuration and unfurl when environmental moisture is available.
Native to AZ, NM, TX, CO, OK and northern MX. Distribution often highly disjunct. On xeric soils and in rock crevices among granite and limestone boulders on talus slopes and other rocky sites to 6500 feet elevation.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Fern
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Complexity: Bipinnate , Tripinnate
Leaf Margin: Pinnatifid
Size Notes: Up to about 10 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Not ApplicableBloom Notes: Non-flowering, sporulating plant. Sporulates from late spring through fall.
Distribution
USA: AR , CO , NM , OK , TXNative Distribution: Native to AZ, NM, TX, CO, OK and northern MX. Distribution often highly disjunct.
Native Habitat: On xeric soils and in rock crevices among granite and limestone boulders on talus slopes and other rocky sites to 6500 feet elevation.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Rock granitic or limestone soils.
Benefit
Interesting Foliage: yesBibliography
Bibref 293 - Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas (1979) Correll, D. S. & M. C. JohnstonSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Notholaena standleyi in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Notholaena standleyi in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Notholaena standleyi
Metadata
Record Modified: 2009-12-14Research By: Joseph Marcus