Cochise scaly cloak fern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cochise scaly cloak fern |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Astrolepis
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| Species: |
cochisensis
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Astrolepis cochisensis is a type of fern often called the Cochise scaly cloak fern. This fern grows naturally in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. You can usually find it in desert areas, especially where the soil has a lot of limestone.
About the Cochise Scaly Cloak Fern
This special fern grows from a short, underground stem called a rhizome. This rhizome has light brown scales, which can sometimes be dark at the bottom. These scales can be up to about 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) long. They might also have tiny, hair-like teeth along their edges.
The leaves of the Cochise scaly cloak fern are usually between 7 to 40 centimeters (3 to 16 inches) long. Each leaf is divided into many smaller parts, called pinnae or leaflets. There can be 20 to 50 pairs of these leaflets on one leaf!
Leaflets and Their Shapes
The leaflets are shaped like a long oval. The biggest ones are typically about 4 to 7 millimeters (0.16 to 0.28 inches) long. Some of these leaflets are smooth and do not have any rounded bumps, which are called lobes. Others might have 1 to 4 lobes, which are not always arranged evenly on the leaflet. These lobes are usually wide and rounded, and the dips between them are not very deep.
Both the top and bottom of the leaflets are covered in unique scales. The top side has scales shaped like stars. The underside has scales that are hairy and shaped like small spears. These scales help protect the fern in its dry desert home.
