Rare Species Guide

  Synonyms

Cheilanthes vestita

  Basis for Former Listing

At this time, the existence of Cheilanthes lanosa (hairy lip-fern) in Minnesota is a matter of conjecture. The only documentation that bears on this question is a 19th Century herbarium specimen labeled "Dalles of the St. Croix". That description could place the location in Minnesota or Wisconsin. A fern specimen collected in Winona County, Minnesota in 1991 was initially thought to be this species, but was later revealed to be the closely related species C. feei (Fee's lipfern).

If C. lanosa were actually discovered in Minnesota, it would likely be on dry, sunny limestone outcrops on steep south or east-facing slopes in the southeast corner of the state. Any activity that would alter the growing conditions in such a sensitive habitat could threaten the survival of an indigenous population.

  Basis for Delisting

It is possible that authentic C. lanosa does occur in the state but the evidence at this time is too tenuous to justify it remaining on the state endangered species list. Cheilanthes lanosa was delisted in 2013.

  References and Additional Information

Cobb, B. 1984. A field guide to ferns and their related families, northeastern and central North America. Revised edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, Massachusetts. 281 pp.

Lellinger, D. B. 1985. A field manual of the ferns and fern-allies of the United States & Canada. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, D.C. 389 pp.

Smith, W. R. 2023. Ferns and lycophytes of Minnesota: the complete guide to species identification. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. 368 pp.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2012. Statement of need and reasonableness. Division of Ecological and Water Resources, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul. 337 pp.

The Great Plains Flora Association. 1986. Flora of the Great Plains. University Press of Kansas, Lawrence. 1,402 pp.