Status: Native
Synonyms:
None
Astrolepis windhamii is a lower elevation, dry habitat fern found growing out of rocky crevices. The blades are long and narrow, with ovate, sinuate-lobed pinnae. The abaxial surface is rough, brown and covered with ciliated scales. The pinnae are more shallowly lobed than Astrolepis sinuata, though it is variable. The adaxial scales on Astrolepis windhamii are more persistant than on Astrolepis sinuata, and they are wider-- 2-4 cells wide on Astrolepis windhamii and only 1-2 cells wide on Astrolepis sinuata. Patrick Alexander assisted in the identification of this plant.
A rust (fungal infection) has appeared in at least one population of Astrolepis windhamii in our area. It gives the appearance of small bright orange dots on the upper (adaxial) surface, as if the pinna had been spray painted.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Astrolepis windhamii, growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Sept. 10, 2008
Astrolepis windhamii, closeup fronds, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Sept. 10, 2008
Astrolepis windhamii, 5x macro of ciliated abaxial scales, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Georgetown Road, Jan. 1, 2009
Astrolepis windhamii, 1x macro of relatively dense & broad adaxial scales, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Jan. 16, 2009
Astrolepis windhamii, 5x macro of relatively dense & broad adaxial scales, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, Jan. 16, 2009
Astrolepis windhamii, macro of rust on adaxial surface, photo Russ Kleinman and the 2009 GNPS Fern Workshop, Silver City, Sept. 9, 2009
Astrolepis windhamii, 100x photomicrograph of four cell wide adaxial scale, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, December 14, 2009
Astrolepis windhamii, 400x photomicrograph of four cell wide adaxial scale, photo Russ Kleinman, Silver City, December 14, 2009
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