Michael D. Windham

Gaga (gaga lipfern) is a genus of 19 species of ferns in the family Pteridaceae named after American singer and songwriter Lady Gaga. Two of the 19 species are newly-described: Gaga germanotta from Costa Rica, named after the family of the singer (she was born Stefani Germanotta), and Gaga monstraparva, in honor of Gaga's fans, whom she calls "little monsters". According to biologists, the ferns bear a close resemblance to Gaga's costume from the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards and also bear a distinct DNA sequence spelling GAGA. Except for the two new species, the rest of the Gaga ferns were

Argyrochosma is a genus of ferns known commonly as false cloak ferns. The genus is included in the Cheilanthoideae subfamily of the Pteridaceae. Species now in this genus were previously treated as members of related genera Notholaena or Pellaea but were segregated into their own genus in 1987.

Astrolepis is a small genus of ferns in the family Pteridaceae. It was formed in 1992 from species previously placed in Cheilanthes and Notholaena. The name is derived from the Greek words ἄστρον (astron), meaning "star," and λεπίς (lepis), meaning "scale," referring to the star-like scales on adaxial blade surfaces. Members of the genus are commonly known as star-scaled cloak ferns and are native to the Americas.

Pleopeltis polypodioides, common name resurrection fern, is a species of creeping, coarse-textured fern native to the Americas and Africa.

Polypodium appalachianum is a fern species native to eastern North America. Sometimes called the Appalachian polypody or Appalachian rockcap fern, it is very similar in appearance to Polypodium virginianum. For years, P. virginianum—long considered a variety of the British Polypodium vulgare—was recognized as having cryptic races, with diploid, triploid, and tetraploid representatives. Since the triploid specimens bore abortive spores, it was apparently the hybrid between the diploid and tetraploid groups. In 1991, it was resolved that the type of P. virginianum was the tetraploid series, and

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Astrolepis integerrima is a fern in the family Pteridaceae known by the common names hybrid cloakfern and southwest cloakfern. Though widespread through much of northern Mexico and parts of the southwestern and south central United States, it is nowhere common. It is only found on calcareous rocks, cliffs, and canyons in the deserts and similarly dry habitats. Astrolepis integerrima is an allotriploid, a type of hybrid containing all or almost all the chromosomes of two different species.

Argyrochosma nivea is an Andean fern species in the family Pteridaceae.

Argyrochosma microphylla, the small-leaf false cloak fern, is a species of fern native to New Mexico, Texas and northern Mexico. It grows on limestone rocks and cliffs, and has finely-divided leaves with small leaf segments, often folded in half when dry, which lack the white powder present on the leaf underside of many related species. First described as a species in 1869, it was transferred to the new genus Argyrochosma in 1987.

Argyrochosma incana, the hairy false cloak fern, is a fern known from the southwestern United States through Mexico to Guatemala, and from a disjunct population in the Dominican Republic. It grows on rocky slopes and steep banks, often in forests. Like many of the false cloak ferns, it bears white powder on the underside of its leaves. First described as a species in 1825, it was transferred to the new genus Argyrochosma in 1987.

Argyrochosma formosa is a fern known from eastern and central Mexico and Guatemala. It grows on rocky slopes, particularly on limestone. Unlike many members of the genus, it lacks white powder on the underside of its leaves. First described as a species in 1842, it was transferred to the new genus Argyrochosma in 1987.

Argyrochosma fendleri, Fendler's false cloak fern, is a fern known from the western United States and northwestern Mexico. It grows in rocky habitats, and is distinguished from other members of the genus by its zig-zag leaf axes. Like many species in the genus, it bears white powder on the underside of its leaves. First described as a species in 1851, it was transferred to the new genus Argyrochosma in 1987.

Argyrochosma dealbata, the powdery false cloak fern, is a small fern endemic to the central and southern United States. It grows on calcareous rocks, such as limestone. Its leaves are highly divided, with leaf segments joined by shiny, chestnut-brown axes, and their undersides are coated with white powder, giving the fern its name. First described as a species in 1814, it was transferred to the new genus Argyrochosma in 1987.

Pentagramma triangularis, commonly known as the gold fern or the goldback fern, is a species of fern in the family Pteridaceae, native to Western North America, with highest abundance in the state of California. Its common name "goldback" refers to the light yellow color of the fern's protective coating which inhibits moisture loss. The gold texture appears as a dry powder that is excreted on the underside of the fern. The Latin genus name Pentagramma derives from "five lines" or "stripes" while the specific epithet triangularis derives from "three sided", describing the shape of the fern's

Myriopteris lanosa, the hairy lip fern, is a medium-sized fern of the eastern United States. The leaves are twice-divided into lanceolate or oblong segments, and are sparsely covered in hairs, but lack scales, hence its common name. One of the cheilanthoid lip ferns, it was usually classified in the genus Cheilanthes as Cheilanthes lanosa until 2013, when the genus Myriopteris was again recognized as separate from Cheilanthes. It typically grows in shallow, dry, soil, often in rocky habitats.

Draba burkei is a species of flowering plant in the family Brassicaceae known by the common names snowbasin draba and Burke's draba. It is endemic to Utah in the United States, where it is known from Box Elder, Cache, Morgan, and Weber Counties. This plant was considered a variety of Draba maguirei until 2004, when it was elevated to species status. This perennial herb has a branching caudex and forms clumps or mats. The stems are just a few centimeters long. The leaves are located on the caudex and in rosettes at the ends of the branches. The inflorescence is a raceme of up to 10 flowers

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Astrolepis cochisensis is a species of fern known by the common name Cochise scaly cloak fern. It is native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, where it occupies mainly desert habitat, often on calcareous soils.

Argyrochosma stuebeliana is a fern endemic to Peru. Its highly divided, leathery leaves are coated with white powder on their under surface. It was originally described as a variety of Argyrochosma dealbata (then in Pellaea) in 1909, based on a single leaf collected by Alphons Stübel, whom its name honors. In 1961, it was recognized as a distinct species, distinguished from similar members of the genus largely by its round leaf segments. It was transferred to the new genus Argyrochosma in 1987.

Argyrochosma pilifera is a fern endemic to Mexico. It has lance-shaped, divided leaves with dark purple axes; the undersides of the leaves are coated in white powder. It is typically found growing on shaded rock faces. Sparse hairs on the undersides of the leaves help distinguish it from closely related species. First described as a species in 1956, it was transferred to the new genus Argyrochosma in 1987.

Argyrochosma peninsularis is a fern endemic to Baja California Sur. It grows in dry, rocky places. First described as a species in 1939, it was transferred to the new genus Argyrochosma in 1987. A dusting of powdery material and the presence of occasional scales on the central axis of its leaves help distinguish it from related species.

Argyrochosma palmeri is a fern endemic to Mexico. It has narrow, divided leaves with black axes; the leaves are coated in white powder below, and sparsely dusted or free of it above. First described as a species in 1887, it was transferred to the new genus Argyrochosma in 1987.

Argyrochosma pallens is a fern endemic to Mexico. It has narrow, divided leaves with brown axes; the leaves are dusted with white powder above and coated in it below. First described as a species in 1956, it was transferred to the new genus Argyrochosma in 1987.

Argyrochosma lumholtzii is a rare fern in the family Pteridaceae known from Sonora, Mexico. It is quite similar to Jones' false cloak fern, but has black leaf axes and a less highly divided leaf. First described as a species in 1939, honoring the explorer Carl Sofus Lumholtz, it was transferred to the new genus Argyrochosma in 1987.

Argyrochosma limitanea, the southwestern false cloak fern, is a species of fern native to the southwestern United States and Sonora, Mexico. It grows on calcareous rocks, and has small, finely-divided leaves with a leathery texture, dark axes connecting the leaf segments, and a heavy coating of white powder on the undersurface. It reproduces apogamously; two subspecies are recognized, which may have originated independently through the hybridization of other taxa not yet discovered. First described as a species in 1919, it was transferred to the new genus Argyrochosma in 1987.

Argyrochosma jonesii, known as Jones' false cloak fern, is a species of fern native to the southwestern United States and Sonora, Mexico. It grows on calcareous rocks, and has small, finely-divided leaves with a leathery texture and dark axes connecting the leaf segments. Unlike many members of Argyrochosma, it does not secrete white powder on the underside of its leaves. First described as a species in 1917, it was transferred to the new genus Argyrochosma in 1987.

Argyrochosma delicatula is a fern known from northeastern Mexico (and from one collection in Arizona). It grows in rocky habitats, either in sun or in shade, and is distinguished from similar species by the presence of pale yellow (rather than white) powder on the underside of its leaves. First described as a species in 1939, it was transferred to the new genus Argyrochosma in 1987.

Argyrochosma chilensis is a fern endemic to the Juan Fernández Islands off the coast of Chile. It has leathery, thrice-divided leaves with dark brown axes; the leaves are coated with white powder below. First described as a species in 1853, it was transferred to the new genus Argyrochosma in 1987.

Physematium neomexicanum, the New Mexican cliff fern, is a fern species native to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico.

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