Scaled cloak fern

Description

At first glance,-N. aschenborniana-is likely to be mistaken for a-Cheilanthes, due to its copious covering of scales on the undersides of its leaves. Underneath the scales, however, is a layer of farina typical of core-Notholaena-species. The stiff ascending leaves of this species are lanceolate, 2- to 3-pinnate, and are supported by thick scaly stalks. Within-Notholaena, it is most likely to be confused with the similarly scaly-N. galeottii, but-N. galeottii-has stiff undivided hairs on the upper surface of the leaves, whereas-N. aschenborniana-has stellate (star-shaped) hairs.