Star Cloak Fern
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Star Cloak Fern
notholaena standleyi
The Star Cloak Fern (Notholaena standleyi) is a highly resilient, xerophytic fern native to the arid desert regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Perfectly adapted to extreme environments, this remarkable plant typically grows in dry, rocky crevices and canyon walls where soil is minimal and water is highly scarce. Its most outstanding feature is its poikilohydric nature, commonly known as a resurrection capability. During intense dry spells, the fern can lose almost all its water content and curl into a tight, dormant brown ball, only to rapidly unfurl and restore its rich green color within hours of receiving rainfall. This survival strategy allows it to thrive in desert landscapes where other fern species cannot survive, anchoring rocky substrates and providing sheltered microclimates for tiny desert organisms.
Hábitat: Found in dry, rocky crevices, canyon cliffs, and boulder fields, particularly on granitic, volcanic, or limestone substrates in desert zones.
Aspecto
This small perennial fern reaches heights of 5 to 25 cm, featuring distinctive pentagonal or star-shaped fronds that are deeply divided into lobed segments. The upper surface of the leaves has a dusty, grayish-green coloration when hydrated, whereas the underside is covered in a brilliant, powdery yellow or pale orange waxy coating known as farina. During periods of drought, the fronds curl tightly inward, exposing the pale, farina-coated undersides which reflect harsh desert sunlight and resemble small, compact, yellow-brown knobs tucked into rock fissures.
ReinoPlantaeFiloTracheophytaClasePolypodiopsidaOrdenPolypodialesFamiliaPteridaceaeGéneroNotholaena
Categoría
PlantasRareza
Common
Peligro
1/5 · Muy bajo
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Datos interesantes
Despite appearing completely dead and brittle during dry months, the plant can fully rehydrate and photosynthesize within 24 to 48 hours of rain.
Its scientific name 'Notholaena' comes from Greek words meaning 'spurious cloak', referring to the hairy or powdery margins that cover the spore cases.
The bright yellow powder (farina) on the leaves can rub off on fingers, leaving a glowing waxy outline like a stamp.
Habilidades especiales
Habilidad
Resurrection Capability
It is poikilohydric, meaning it can survive near-total dehydration by curling into a dormant ball and rapidly reviving upon contact with water.
Habilidad
Farinose Defense
The underside of its leaves features a waxy, yellow powdery coating that reflects intense solar radiation and minimizes water loss through transpiration.
Habilidad
Lithophytic Anchoring
Its fibrous, tough root system penetrates tiny rock fissures to secure the plant and extract trace moisture and minerals.
Medidas y detalles
- Longitud
- 5-25 cm
- Peso
- 0.01-0.05 kg
- Esperanza de vida
- 5-20 años
Dieta y alimentación
As a photosynthetic plant, it produces its own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water while drawing minerals from rocky soils.
Alimentos principales
- Sunlight
- Water
- Carbon Dioxide
- Soil Minerals
Conexiones ecológicas
eaten by
Desert Woodrat
Neotoma lepida
Feeds on the fern's fronds during dry periods when other water sources are scarce.
mutualism
Saguaro
Carnegiea gigantea
Grows in the shaded microclimates at the base of larger desert plants, which shield it from extreme heat.
Rasgos
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También conocido como
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Seguridad
Peligro
1/5 · Muy bajo
Todavía no hay notas especiales de seguridad.
Preguntas frecuentes
¿Cómo identificar a Star Cloak Fern?
La forma más fácil de identificar a Star Cloak Fern es usar la aplicación de identificación de naturaleza Snappit.
¿Cuál es el longitud de Star Cloak Fern?
5-25 cm
¿Cuál es el peso de Star Cloak Fern?
0.01-0.05 kg
¿Cuál es el esperanza de vida de Star Cloak Fern?
5-20 años
¿Qué come Star Cloak Fern?
As a photosynthetic plant, it produces its own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water while drawing minerals from rocky soils.
¿Dónde se encuentra normalmente Star Cloak Fern?
Found in dry, rocky crevices, canyon cliffs, and boulder fields, particularly on granitic, volcanic, or limestone substrates in desert zones.
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