Plant
Parry's Lip Fern
Myriopteris parryiAlso known as Parry's Cloak Fern, Woolly Lip Fern
Parry's lip ferns thrive in dry, sun-baked desert rock crevices across the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Thick layers of white to rust-colored woolly hairs coat both sides of their fronds to trap moisture and reflect intense solar radiation. During prolonged dry spells, the leaves curl into tight brown balls to survive until rain triggers rapid rehydration.
DesertFernDrought Tolerant
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
- Herbivorous Insects
- Desert Snails
- Rodents
ThreatsHabitat disturbance, trampling, extreme heatwaves
HabitatsDesert rock crevices, granite outcrops, dry canyon slopes
Life spanPerennial (decades)
Classification
- FamilyPteridaceae
- SpeciesMyriopteris parryi
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
- Observe rock faces: Look closely at granite or limestone crevices in desert mountain ranges.
- Check hairiness: Examine fronds for dense, tangled whitish hairs that trap moisture.
- Leave undisturbed: Avoid pulling specimens from rock cracks as desert root systems grow slowly.
Close Relative (c) Timothy McNitt, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Timothy McNitt · cc-by
Image unavailableClose Relative
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