Plant · GBIF taxon 5275421
purple-stem cliffbrake
Pellaea mucronataAlso known as Bird's Foot Cliffbrake, Bird's Foot Fern
Purple-stem cliffbrake thrives in dry, exposed rock crevices where few other ferns can survive. Its wiry, reddish-purple stems support blue-green fronds divided into tiny, distinct segments shaped like bird toes. During dry summer months, the foliage curls tightly to conserve moisture, springing back into vivid green life with the return of autumn rains.
Rock DwellerDrought TolerantNative Fern
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Minerals
Predators
- Herbivorous Insects
- Rodents
ThreatsHabitat destruction and extreme severe wildfires
HabitatsChaparral, rocky cliffs, and dry foothill woodlands
Life spanPerennial (many years)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPteridaceae
- SpeciesPellaea mucronata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Spotting: Look for dark, wiry purplish stems peeking out from dry granitic or basaltic rock crevices.
- Seasonal changes: Observe how fronds curl tightly during summer droughts and revive after winter rains.
- Conservation: Avoid tugging or harvesting from rock faces, as roots cling tightly to thin soil patches.
Co-Occurring Fern (c) Timothy McNitt, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Timothy McNitt · cc-by
Co-Occurring Fern (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Co-Occurring Fern (c) Roberto Daniel Avila, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Roberto Daniel Avila · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Ken-ichi Ueda, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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