Pellaea dolomiticola Schelpe

Rhizome shortly creeping to suberect, c. 4 mm in diameter; rhizome scales narrowly lanceolate in outline, pale brown, up to 4 x 0.75 mm. Fronds monomorphic, tufted, erect, thinly coriaceous. Stipe up to 10 cm long, brown, set with pale, creamy membranous scales, lanceolate in outline, margin entire to subentire, c. 3 x 0.6 mm, denser and almost white on new fronds. Lamina 2-pinnate to 3-pinnatifid, broadly elliptic to broadly lanceolate in outline, up to 9 x 5 cm; pinnae 3-6 alternate pairs, oblong-acute in outline, up to 2-1.2 cm, lowest ones reduced; pinnules subopposit to alternate, narrowly oblong in outline, apex pointed, upper surface glaucous, both surfaces glabrous; veins obscure; rhachis and costae set with scattered cream or white, broad, membranous scales. Sori continuous, marginal; indusium membranous, erose.

dolomiticola: growing on dolomite, a reference to the habitat favoured by this fern.

Growing in rock crevices or in soil at base of boulders of dolomitic limestone outcrops, in full sun or light shade of scrub.

See African distribution.

South Africa.

Lithophytic, terrestrial.