TEXT: Cheilanthes gracillima (Lace fern)
Growing in a natural crevice in basaltic andesite in the Western
Cascades, Oregon. The Cheilanthoids are a group of ferns with abundant
fine hairs on their fronds that give them a distinctively wooly appearance.
(The fronds shown in this picture are about 10 cm long.) Tiny scales and
incised fronds also serve to conserve moisture during dry periods and they
may rely upon water from seepage. The spore cases are found beneath the
curled edges of the fronds giving the Cheilanthoids the nickname of Lip
ferns. C. gracillima is an excellent plant for the crevice rock garden
or trough with rocks given the deep and cool root run into rock that it
has in nature. On a plant of this size, the roots may be 40 or 50 cm, so
a deep and cool root run is imperative. They often grow in areas of overhang
protected from excess moisture. Lace fern shows an affinity for basaltic
(basic) rock and will tolerate serpentine as well. Under 50 x the spores
appear as shiny black beads when ripe. Inspection will reveal if you have
spore rather than the abundant chaff that sometimes arrives in exchanges.
Although slow in its infancy and childhood, it is easily raised from spore
sown on fine sand, grit or even Turface (R). |
