Ontario Ferns website

Purple-stemmed Cliffbrake
Pellaea atropurpurea

Other common names: Purple Cliffbrake

Other scientific names: Pteris atropurpurea

French names: Pellèade à stipe pourpre

Family: Maidenhair Fern Family (Pteridaceae)

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.

Origin and Meaning of Names:
 Scientific Name: atropurpurea: dark purple


Photographs: 18 photographs available.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page
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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)