Ontario Ferns website

Purple-stemmed Cliffbrake
Pellaea atropurpurea

Purple-stemmed Cliffbrake (Pellaea atropurpurea) 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

Purple-stemmed Cliffbrake (Pellaea atropurpurea)

A small clump on the Bruce Peninsula.

Purple-stemmed Cliffbrake (Pellaea atropurpurea)

One stalk with leaflets.

Purple-stemmed Cliffbrake (Pellaea atropurpurea)

Closeup of the stalk, showing the reddish-purple colour, and the tiny bristly hairs that distinguish it from Smooth Cliffbrake (Pellaea glabella).

Purple-stemmed Cliffbrake (Pellaea atropurpurea)

Purple-stemmed Cliffbrake (LEFT) and Smooth Cliffbrake (RIGHT) stems compared.

Purple-stemmed Cliffbrake (Pellaea atropurpurea)

Underside of a leaflet. Note the incurved edges.

Purple-stemmed Cliffbrake (Pellaea atropurpurea)

Sometimes the terminal leaflet is forked, as shown here.


Range map for Purple-stemmed Cliffbrake (Pellaea atropurpurea)

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)