(Polypodiales)

The order Polypodiales includes most of today's fern species. I do not know my ferns, so please take what follows with several grains of salt. Hover over a photo series to control the images.

Cystopteridaceae: Bladder Fern (Cystopteris)

Pteridaceae: Lip Fern (Cheilanthes)

As you might expect, these ferns of the lower Sandias occur where the rocks provide shade and extra moisture. Close up, the leaves look nubbly.