Leaves 10--60(--75) cm, very short leaves sometimes fertile. Pinnae (2--)5--12 pairs, ovate to lanceolate, usually falcate, 2--9 cm, base obliquely cuneate to nearly cordate, apex usually attenuate; acroscopic lobe usually present, prominent (at least some present on every leaf); pinnae rarely irregularly incised. Indusia membranous, flat or concave centrally, not umbonate, shriveled at maturity. 2n = 164. Soil pockets in sheltered rock crevices of canyons and ravines; 600--2100 m.; Ariz., N.Mex., Tex.; n Mexico.

General: Usually found in moist soil with short-creeping to erect stems, 10-60 cm long. Leaves: Pinnae alternate on the sparsely scaly rachis, usually sickle-shaped, usually in 5-12 pairs, ovate to lanceolate, each 2-9 cm long, base obliquely cuneate to cordate, apex attenuate, prominent lobe facing the tip at base, pinnae irregularly incised to serrate, stipe shorter than blade, sparsely covered in light brown scales. Sporangia: Sori round, scattered in 1-2 rows on each side of midvein on back of pinnae, indusia membranous, flat or concave, shriveled at maturity. Ecology: Found growing in crevices of north facing cliffs and in rich soils of cool, damp microsites from 2,000-7,000 ft (610-2134 m). Notes: The distinctive ear at the base of the pinnae is key. Etymology: Phanerophlebia comes from the Greek phaneros for evident, and phlebos for vein, while auriculata means eared, or having ear-like structures. Sources: FNA 1993, Dittmer et al. 1954, Yarborough and Powell 2002, Kearney and Peebles 1969