Ferns in the desert? Absolutely! Seventeen species of ferns grow in Modesta Canyon alone.

Ferns seek out moisture in odd places. Look for them at the base of boulders or growing out of cracks and holes in different rock formations. These xeric ferns cope with dry conditions by drying up and tightly curling their fronds to protect the cells on the upper surface. But when Mother Nature provides a little moisture, the fronds unfurl, green up, and actively grow once more.

The best time for a fern hunt is a few days after a rain or during the summer rainy season. You’ll be amazed at what you’ll find!

Ferns and Fern Allies of Modesta Canyon

Arizona Spikemoss (Selaginella arizonica)

Blackstem Spleenwort (Asplenium resiliens)

Bonaire Lip Fern (Cheilanthes bonariensis)

Creeping Cliff Break (Pellaea intermedia)

Dancing Bommeria (Bommeria hispida)

Eaton Lip Fern (Cheilanthes eatonii)

Fairy Swords ( Cheilanthes lindheimeri)

Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris)

Peruvian Spikemoss (Selaginella peruviana)

Purple Cliff Break (Pellaea atropurpurea)

Slender Lip Fern (Cheilanthes feei)

Star Cloak Fern (Notholaena standleyi)

Wholeleaf Cloak Fern (Astrolepis integerrima)

Wavyleaf Cloak Fern (Astrolepis sinuata)

Woolly Lip Fern (Cheilanthes tomentosa)

Wright Cliff Brake (Pellaea wrightiana)

Wright Lip Fern (Cheilanthes wrightii)