Other common names:
Purple Cliffbrake Other scientific names: Pteris atropurpurea French names:
Pellčade ŕ stipe pourpre Family: Maidenhair Fern Family (Pteridaceae) Group: Cliffbrakes Distinctive features:
Reddish-purple & bristly stems. Incurved leaflet edges. Sparse leaflets. Similar species: • Smooth Cliffbrake (Pellaea glabella) - very similar, but much more common; has a smooth stalk. • Slender Cliffbrake (Cryptogramma stelleri) Fronds: Evergreen, Once divided Height:
Up to 20 cm (7 in) Habitat: Fields and Open Areas; Open areas on Dolostone. Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
Very rare in Ontario.
Origin and Meaning of Names:
Scientific Name: atropurpurea: dark purple Photographs:
18 photographs available, of which 6 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
Range Map is at the bottom of the page
PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.
(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website
and is displayed here in accordance with their
Policies)
