Cheilanthoid
Quick Summary
The Cheilanthoid clade is a group of about 400 species of ferns within the Pteridaceae family. This clade includes major genera like Pellaea (cliff brakes) and Cheilanthes (lip ferns). These ferns are often found in rocky areas and arid or seasonally dry environments. They have developed various adaptations to survive drought, such as thick, waxy leaves, dense hairs or scales, and the ability to curl their leaves during dry periods. The genus Cheilanthes itself contains around 150 species found globally in tropical and temperate regions, often in dry climates and rocky areas.12
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
