The ferns of the world’s drylands offer a total contrast to the stereotypical concept of
fern. Seeing them growing in the wild is an amazing sight indeed. One of my earliest
exposures was at a remote place called Bumblebee 4 (no, I do not know why), Arizona.
In a dry gulch that would serve as a site for a cowboy’s last gasp in a western
movie were assorted ferns nestled up against boulders. Here their roots reached
deeply down for the minimal water source with the boulder providing a cool root
run, a touch of shade, and a drop or two of morning dew. These xerics are your
cheilanthes and pellaeas and their near relatives.Many are cloaked in hairs and scales
to help prevent water loss. Others have an undercoat of white or yellow farinose wax.
To the xeric enthusiast these protective traits add immensely to the ferns’ beauty and
charm.
