Myriopteris clevelandii
Cleveland's lip fern, Cleveland's Lip Fern
(c) er-birds, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by er-birds · licence
Family: Pteridaceae · Type: Herb · Native
Myriopteris clevelandii (Cleveland's lip fern) is a native California herb in the Pteridaceae family, recognized by gray-green color and completely scale-covered undersides.
Cleveland's lip fern is a California native perennial found in the northern Channel Islands and Peninsular Ranges in rocky, exposed areas at elevations of 200 to 1,000 meters. With gray-green fronds 15 to 30 centimeters long, this fern has intricately divided leaves that are 3 to 5 centimeters wide with multiple layers of pinnate segments. Growing with a short to long-creeping rhizome covered in red-brown scales with dark mid-stripes, the fern has delicate segments that are small and round to slightly heart-shaped. Its leaf stalks are narrow, less than 2 millimeters wide, and densely covered with lance-linear scales ranging from gray to red-brown. The fern's segments are uniquely structured, with concave undersides completely covered in scales and nonglandular hairs, creating a textured and intricate appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features are gray-green color and completely scale-covered undersides
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky, exposed areas
Elevation: 200-1000 m
Outside California: Baja California
How to tell it apart
vs Achillea: Myriopteris is a fern with spore cases underneath; Achillea is a flowering plant with flat-topped flower clusters.; vs Cheilanthes: These are the same - Cheilanthes is the old name for what's now called Myriopteris.; vs Notholaena: Myriopteris has fuzzy hairs or scales underneath; Notholaena has a smooth waxy powder coating.; vs Pellaea: Myriopteris undersides feel fuzzy or scaly; Pellaea undersides are smooth and leathery.; vs Pentagramma: Myriopteris has fuzzy scales or hairs; Pentagramma undersides are smooth with golden/silver coating or bare.
Frequently asked questions
Is Myriopteris clevelandii native to California?
Yes. Myriopteris clevelandii is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Myriopteris clevelandii belong to?
Myriopteris clevelandii is in the Pteridaceae family, genus Myriopteris.
What habitat does Myriopteris clevelandii grow in?
Myriopteris clevelandii grows in Rocky, exposed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.