Biological Survey of Ironwood Forest National Monument

Nonflowering Plants

Photographer: Mark Dimmitt


Argyrochosma jonesii (Jones' lipfern, formerly Notholaena j.) is rare in IFNM, where it is near the southern limit of its distribution.

Astrolepis cochisensis (left) and A. sinuata are common and widespread in the desert. They were formerly in the genus Notholaena. A. cochisensis is usually found on lime-rich soils.

Cheilanthes pringlei (Pringle lipfern) was a candidate endangered species, but was rejected when it was found to be common in the Tucson Mountains and Sonora.

Cheilanthes yavapensis (Yavapai lipfern) is a recently described species commonly confused with C. wootonii.

Cheilanthes wrightii (Wright lipfern)

Notholaena standleyi (Standley cloakfern) is about as common and widespread as Astrolepis.

Pellaea truncata (cliff brake) is widespread.

Pentagramma triangularis (golden fern, formerly Pityrogramma t.) is widespread.

Most mushrooms are delicate and ephemeral, but this desert mushroom dries to a woody consistency and persists for a year or more.

Biological soil crusts (cryptogamic crusts) are important components of arid ecosystems. See the caption under soil crusts.

Lichens are actually not plants. They are a symbiotic pairing between an alga and a fungus or a cyanobacterium. All three types of organisms belong to different kingdoms. This community of several species of lichens is in the Sawtooth Mountains.
 

 

 

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