''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a

cosmopolitan distribution In biogeography, cosmopolitan distribution is the term for the range of a taxon that extends across all or most of the world in appropriate habitats. Such a taxon, usually a species, is said to exhibit cosmopolitanism or cosmopolitism. The ext ...

in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and evergreen. The leaves, often densely covered in trichomes, spring directly from the rootstocks. Many of them are desert ferns, curling up during dry times and reviving with the coming of moisture. At the ends of veins sporangia, or spore-bearing structures, are protected by leaf margins, which curl over them.

Taxonomy

The genus name is derived from the Greek words χεῖλος (''cheilos''), meaning "lip," and ἄνθος (''anthos''), meaning "flower." ''Cheilanthes'' as traditionally

circumscribed In geometry, the circumscribed circle or circumcircle of a polygon is a circle that passes through all the vertices of the polygon. The center of this circle is called the circumcenter and its radius is called the circumradius. Not every polyg ...

is now known to be highly paraphyletic, comprising at least four generically separate groups. The type species, '' C. micropteris'', is most closely allied to the genera ''

Aleuritopteris ''Aleuritopteris'' is a genus of ferns in the Cheilanthoideae subfamily of the Pteridaceae. As with some other genera of the Cheilanthoideae, molecular phylogenetic studies have suggested that it is not monophyletic, and so may need to be circ ...

'' and ''

Sinopteris ''Aleuritopteris'' is a genus of ferns in the Cheilanthoideae subfamily of the Pteridaceae. As with some other genera of the Cheilanthoideae, molecular phylogenetic studies have suggested that it is not monophyletic, and so may need to be circu ...

'' (Schuettpelz ''et al.''). In the early 21st century, many species, principally from the New World, were moved into the new genus '' Gaga'' and the revived genus ''

Myriopteris ''Myriopteris'', commonly known as the lip ferns, is a genus of cheilanthoid ferns. Like other cheilanthoids, they are ferns of dry habitats, reproducing both sexually and apogamously. Many species have leaves divided into a large number of sma ...

''. Further work remains to be done to render ''Cheilanthes'' monophyletic. Members of many other

cheilanthoid Cheilanthoideae is one of the five subfamilies of the fern family Pteridaceae. The subfamily is thought to be monophyletic, but some of the genera into which it has been divided are not, and the taxonomic status of many of its genera and species ...

genera have at times been given names in the genus.

Species

The circumscription of the genus was uncertain . The ''Checklist of Ferns and Lycophytes of the World'' lists species in several distinct groups. ''Cheilanthes''

sensu stricto ''Sensu'' is a Latin word meaning "in the sense of". It is used in a number of fields including biology, geology, linguistics, semiotics, and law. Commonly it refers to how strictly or loosely an expression is used in describing any particular co ...

contains about 20 species from North and tropical Central and South America: *''

Cheilanthes arequipensis ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' (Maxon) R.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon *''

Cheilanthes fractifera ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' Tryon *''

Cheilanthes glutinosa ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' M.Kessler & A.R.Sm. *''

Cheilanthes incarum ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' Maxon *''

Cheilanthes incisa ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' Kunze ex Mett. *''

Cheilanthes juergensii ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' Rosenst. *''

Cheilanthes laciniata ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' Sodiro *''

Cheilanthes leonardii ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' Maxon *''

Cheilanthes leucopoda ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' Link *''

Cheilanthes lonchophylla ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' (R.M.Tryon) R.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon *''

Cheilanthes macleanii ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' (J.Sm.) Hook. *''

Cheilanthes mathewsii ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' Kunze *'' Cheilanthes micropteris'' Sw. *''

Cheilanthes pantanalensis ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' E.L.M.Assis, Ponce & Labiak *''

Cheilanthes peruviana ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' (Desv.) Moore *''

Cheilanthes poeppigiana ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' Mett. ex Kuhn *''

Cheilanthes rufopunctata ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' Rosenst. *'' Cheilanthes sarmientoi'' Ponce *'' Cheilanthes spiculata'' Mickel *'' Cheilanthes squamosa'' Gill. ex Hook. & Grev. *'' Cheilanthes volcanensis'' de la Sota ''Cheilanthes'' sensu lato contains about 50 species that

molecular phylogenetic Molecular phylogenetics () is the branch of phylogeny that analyzes genetic, hereditary molecular differences, predominantly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. From these analyses, it is possible to ...

studies suggest do not form a

clade A clade (), also known as a monophyletic group or natural group, is a group of organisms that are monophyletic – that is, composed of a common ancestor and all its lineal descendants – on a phylogenetic tree. Rather than the English term, ...

with the core ''Cheilanthes'' species, falling into separate clades, but for which no placement outside ''Cheilanthes'' was available : *'' Cheilanthes adiantoides'' T.C.Chambers & P.A.Farrant *'' Cheilanthes angustifrondosa'' Alston *'' Cheilanthes austrotenuifolia'' H.M.Quirk & T.C.Chambers *'' Cheilanthes bergiana'' Schltdl. *'' Cheilanthes boivinii'' Mett. ex Kuhn *'' Cheilanthes bolborrhiza'' Mickel & Beitel *'' Cheilanthes bonapartei'' J.P.Roux *''

Cheilanthes botswanae ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' Schelpe & N.C.Anthony *''

Cheilanthes brownii ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' (Desv.) Domin *'' Cheilanthes buchananii'' (Baker) Domin *''

Cheilanthes capensis ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' (Thunb.) Sw. *''

Cheilanthes caudata ''Cheilanthes caudata'' is a species of fern in the family Pteridaceae, native to northern Australia and possibly New Caledonia ) , anthem = "" , image_map = New Caledonia on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , ...

'' R.Br. *''

Cheilanthes ceterachoides ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' A.W.Klopper & Klopper *''

Cheilanthes contracta ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' Kunze *''

Cheilanthes deboeri ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' Verdc. *''

Cheilanthes deltoidea ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' Kunze *'' Cheilanthes depauperata'' Baker *'' Cheilanthes dinteri'' Brause *''

Cheilanthes distans ''Cheilanthes distans'' is a species of lip fern known by the common name bristly cloak fern. It has a woolly appearance with small white hairs on the top side of the fronds, and a rusty brown underneath. Distribution This small plant is native ...

'' (R.Br.) Mett. *''

Cheilanthes dolomiticola ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' (Schelpe) Schelpe & N.C.Anthony *''

Cheilanthes eckloniana ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' (Kunze) Mett. *'' Cheilanthes erythraea'' Pic. Serm. *'' Cheilanthes fragillima'' F.Muell. *''

Cheilanthes hastata ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' (L. fil.) Kunze *'' Cheilanthes hirta'' Sw. *'' Cheilanthes inaequalis'' (Kunze) Mett. *''

Cheilanthes induta ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' Kunze *''

Cheilanthes involuta ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' (Sw.) Schelpe & N.C.Anthony *''

Cheilanthes kunzei ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' Mett. *''

Cheilanthes lasiophylla ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' Pic. Serm. *'' Cheilanthes leachii'' (Schelpe) Schelpe *'' Cheilanthes lozanoi'' (Maxon) R.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon *'' Cheilanthes madagascariensis'' Baker *''

Cheilanthes marlothii ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' (Hieron.) Schelpe *''

Cheilanthes muelleri ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' (Hook.) comb. ined. *''

Cheilanthes multifida ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' (Sw.) Sw. *''

Cheilanthes namaquensis ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' (Baker) Schelpe & N.C.Anthony *'' Cheilanthes nielsii'' W.Jacobsen *'' Cheilanthes nitida'' (R.Br.) P.S.Green *''

Cheilanthes parviloba ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' (Sw.) Sw. *'' Cheilanthes pentagona'' Schelpe & N.C.Anthony *''

Cheilanthes perlanata ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and eve ...

'' (Pic. Serm.) Kornas *''

Cheilanthes perrieri ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' J.P.Roux *'' Cheilanthes praetermissa'' D.L.Jones *'' Cheilanthes prenticei'' Luerss. *'' Cheilanthes pumilio'' (R.Br.) F.Muell. *'' Cheilanthes quadripinnata'' (Forsk.) Kuhn *'' Cheilanthes reynoldsii'' (F.Muell.) comb. ined. *''

Cheilanthes robusta ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' (Kunze) Tryon *''

Cheilanthes sieberi ''Cheilanthes sieberi'' is a small fern growing in many parts of Australia, New Zealand New Zealand ( mi, Aotearoa ) is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and ...

'' Kunze *''

Cheilanthes similis ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' Ballard *''

Cheilanthes skinneri ''Cheilanthes'', commonly known as lip ferns, is a genus of about 180 species of rock-dwelling ferns with a cosmopolitan distribution in warm, dry, rocky regions, often growing in small crevices high up on cliffs. Most are small, sturdy and ever ...

'' (Hook.) R.M.Tryon & A.F.Tryon

References

Flora Europaea: ''Cheilanthes''Flora of North America: ''Cheilanthes''

lip fern
" Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 30 Nov 2007. {{Taxonbar, from=Q2628740 Fern genera Taxa named by Olof Swartz