Narrow Rock Fern

Narrow Rock Fern
Narrow Rock Fern
Images ©:
©Narrow Rock Fern - Michael Bedingfield, Narrow Rock Fern - Michael Bedingfield

Cheilanthes sieberi subsp. sieberi

Hairless fronds to 35 cm long and 3.5 cm wide, and crowded. Leaf blades are lance-shaped or oval.

Details
Flora Type
Ferns
Other Common Names
Mulga Fern
Distinctive Features

Creeping rhizome is densely covered with narrow pointed scales. The spore-bearing structures usually remain discrete.
Biology

This fern occurs across arid areas high rainfall areas. From shady gullies to full sun in rock cracks.
Native Status
Native
Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Polypodiopsida (Ferns)
Order
Polypodiales
Family
Pteridaceae
Genus
Cheilanthes
Species
sieberi

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

This fern can cause health issues for sheep and cattle if too much is eaten.

Interesting Facts
Similar Species

Similar to Cheilanthes sieberi subsp. pseudovellea which has upper and lower leaf surfaces covered with twisted hairs. Hard to separate from C. austrotenuifolia.
Native Status
Native