Cleveland's lip fern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cleveland's lip fern |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Myriopteris
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| Species: |
clevelandii
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The Cleveland's lip fern (scientific name: Myriopteris clevelandii) is a cool type of fern. It used to be called Cheilanthes clevelandii. This fern gets its name from Daniel Cleveland. He was a plant collector and lawyer from San Diego in the 1800s. The word clevelandii in its scientific name is a way to honor him.
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Where Does It Live?
This fern naturally grows in southern California. You can find it on some of the northern Channel Islands too. It also lives in northern Baja California, Mexico.
Its Favorite Places
Cleveland's lip fern loves chaparral areas. These are places with tough shrubs and dry conditions. It often grows in rocky cracks in hills. You can spot it in low mountains, especially in the Peninsular Ranges. It also thrives on the islands where it lives.
What Does It Look Like?
This fern has special leaves. They are divided many times, making them look bumpy. Imagine tiny, rounded pieces overlapping each other. This gives the leaves a unique, cobbled look.
Close-Up on the Leaves
If you look at the underside of the leaves, you'll see something interesting. They have tiny scales. These are like long growths from the leaf's skin. There are also long hairs covering the underside.
Hidden Spores
The fern's sporangia are its spore cases. These are where the fern makes its "seeds" (spores). They can be hidden under the scales and hairs. Sometimes, they are tucked under the curved edge of the leaf.
