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Cryptogramma stelleri — slender rock-brake

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Facts

Slender rock-brake has a circumboreal distribution, and in North America its range is disjunct in the northeastern and northwestern regions. In New England it is rare, and found on high-pH rocks and cliffs. The above-ground parts whither by late summer.

Habitat

Cliffs, balds, or ledges, ridges or ledges

New England distribution

Adapted from BONAP data

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North America distribution

Adapted from BONAP data

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Characteristics

Habitat
terrestrial
New England state
  • Connecticut
  • Maine
  • Massachusetts
  • New Hampshire
  • Vermont
Show all characteristics
  • Leaves

    Features of leaves
    there are no special features on the leaves
  • Place

    Habitat
    terrestrial
    New England state
    • Connecticut
    • Maine
    • Massachusetts
    • New Hampshire
    • Vermont
    Specific habitat
    • cliffs, balds, or ledges
    • ridges or ledges

Wetland status

Usually occurs in non-wetlands, but occasionally in wetlands. (Wetland indicator code: FACU)

In New England

Distribution

Connecticut
present
Maine
present
Massachusetts
present
New Hampshire
present
Rhode Island
absent
Vermont
present

Conservation status

Exact status definitions can vary from state to state. For details, please check with your state.

Connecticut
extremely rare (S-rank: S1), endangered (code: E)
Maine
extremely rare (S-rank: S1), threatened (code: T)
Massachusetts
extremely rare (S-rank: S1), endangered (code: E)
New Hampshire
extremely rare (S-rank: S1), endangered (code: E)
Vermont
uncommon (S-rank: S3)

From Flora Novae Angliae dichotomous key

1.  Cryptogramma stelleri (Gmel.) Prantl N

slender rock-brake. CT, MA, ME, NH, VT. High-pH rocks and cliffs.

Native to North America?

Yes

Sometimes confused with

Cystopteris fragilis:
leaf blades +/- monomorphic as to vegetative and reproductive ones and sori not located on margin, covered by an ovate to lanceolate indusium (vs. leaf blades dimorphic as to vegetation and reproductive ones and sori located at the margin, covered by a marginal false indusium).

Family

Pteridaceae

Genus

Cryptogramma