Cryptogramma stelleri : Slender Cliff-brake

Scientific Name:

Kingdom: Plantae

Division:

• Tracheophyta (vascular)
• Pteridophyta (spore bearing)

Class: Polypodopsida (fern class)

Family: Pteridaceae

Genera: Cryptogramma (Rock-Brake) (Gk. crypto = hidden + gramma = line referring to the lines of sori hidden under the leaves)

Species: stelleri

English Name(s):

Slender Cliff-brake, Parsly Fern

First Nation Names:

Description:

Plants with fronds of 2 types: fertile and infertile.

Sori not covered by a regular indusium but by inrolled leaves.

Natural History:

Family Size:

World:

Genera:

Species: 4

North America:

Genera:

Species: 3

Yukon:

Genera: 1

Species: 3

Central Yukon:(CYSIP study area)

Genera: 1

Species: 1

Structure:

• Fertile fronds 9-21cm long, stiffer and much taller than sterile ones.
• Fronds of two types; fertile and sterile, scattered along slender horizontal rhizome.
• Sterile fronds short 3-10cm long with sterile leaves.

Leaves:

• Pinnate to Bipinnate, viens often reaching the leaf edge.
• Leaves of fertile stems rolled under and containing the reproductive organs.
• Leaves often very bright green.

Reproductive Parts:

• In sori (sporangia clusters) hidden on underside of the rolled leaves of the fertile frond.
• No indusium (sorus cover) inrolled leaf edges act as a false indusium.

Seed:

Not to Be Confused With:

• C.crispa which has not been but may be found in our region. C.stelleri leaves are more delicate and are decidious. C.crispa leaves are more leathery and evergreen.

Physiology:

Life Cycle:

• Perennial from rhizomes.

Seasonal Cycle:

• Deciduous from rhizomes.

Animal Uses:

Habitat:

• Lime intolerant. Likes moist ,shaded, calcareous crevices, cliffs and rocky places.

Modern:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Gwich'in:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food:

Traditional Other:

Folklore:

Industrial:

Medicinal:

Food: