Plant species of Tumamoc Hill

Tumamoc has more than 300 species of plants. Thanks to the artistry, hard work and generosity of T. Beth Kinsey, you can already see a few of them in this part of the website.

The species list has all our species but many do not yet have their own webpage. We are working to include them, too. (Check the What's new? page for notice of additions.)

Meanwhile, visit Beth's own site Fireflyforest where you will find other plants of southern Arizona, as well as many from Hawaii. And please do let Beth know how much you appreciate her work!

Astrolepis cochisensis – Cochise Scaly Cloakfern

Astrolepis cochisensis - Cochise Scaly Cloakfern

Astrolepis cochisensis - Cochise Scaly Cloakfern

Astrolepis cochisensis - Cochise Scaly Cloakfern

Plant Name

Scientific Name: Astrolepis cochisensis

Synonyms: Cheilanthes cochisensis, C. sinuata var. cochisensis

Common Name: Cochise Scaly Cloakfern

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial

Growth Habit: Herb/Forb, Fern

Arizona Native Status: Native

Habitat: Desert, Upland. It grows in rocky canyons and on hillsides in the shade of large rocks or in rock crevices.

Flower Color: Non-flowering

Height: To 16 inches (41 cm) tall

Description: The fronds are arching to erect, pinnate, and have hairy, reddish brown stems and oval, 1/4 inch (6.4 mm) long leaflets. The leaflets have 0 to 3 pairs of shallow, rounded lobes and are dull green to gray-green and dotted with persistent, white, stellate scales above and felted brown with scattered white scales below.

The similar Hybrid Cloakfern (Astrolepis integerrima) has asymmetrically lobed or entire leaflets with a dense cover of scales above, while Wavy Scaly Cloakfern (Astrolepis sinuata) has leaflets with 5 or more deep, often acute lobes and a sparsely scaled to glabrescent upper surface.

Special Characteristics

Poisonous – This plant is poisonous to sheep and goats.

Classification

Kingdom: Plantae Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta Vascular plants
Division: Pteridophyta – Ferns
Class: Filicopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Family: Pteridaceae – Maidenhair Fern family
Genus: Astrolepis Benham & Windham – cloakfern
Species: Astrolepis cochisensis (Goodding) Benham & Windham – Cochise scaly cloakfern

RETURN TO SPECIES LIST

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 Tumamoc is managed by the University of Arizona College of Science and Pima County, Arizona.