rock fern

Rock ferns are a type of fern that primarily grows on or among rocks. Some species are adapted to rocky habitats, thriving in crevices of cliffs and boulders, and can be found on various rock types like granite and sandstone. While many ferns prefer damp, shaded forests, some rock ferns can tolerate drier conditions and may exhibit adaptations such as thick cuticles and abundant plant hairs to conserve moisture.12

Certain rock ferns, like Cheilanthes tenuifolia, are found in tropical Asia and Australasia and have been associated with intoxication in cattle. Other rock ferns belong to the genus Asplenium. Ferns, in general, reproduce through spores, and while sexual reproduction is important for colonizing new areas, vegetative reproduction often accounts for the majority of fern plants.12