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Woodsia glabella — smooth cliff fern

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Facts

Smooth cliff fern has a circumboreal distribution. In North America it is mainly found in Canada and Alaska, but dips into New England, where it is a rare inhabitant of high-pH cliffs. This species is distinguished from other cliff ferns by its lack of hairs.

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
  • 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
    • Maine
    • Massachusetts
    • New Hampshire
    • Vermont
    Specific habitat
    • cliffs, balds, or ledges
    • ridges or ledges

Wetland status

Not classified

In New England

Distribution

Connecticut
absent
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.

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
rare (S-rank: S2)

From Flora Novae Angliae dichotomous key

2.  Woodsia glabella R. Br. ex Richards. NC

smooth cliff fern. Woodsia alpina (Bolton) S.F. Gray var. glabella (R. Br. ex Richards.) D.C. 
Eat.; W. hyperborea R. Br. var. glabella (R. Br. ex Richards.) Watt • MA, ME, NH, VT. High-pH rock of cliffs.

Native to North America?

Yes

Sometimes confused with

Woodsia alpina

Family

Woodsiaceae

Genus

Woodsia