Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pteridophyta (Filicophyta)
Class: Pteridopsida (Filicopsida)
Subclass: Pteriditae
Order: Pteridales
Family: Pellaeaceae
Genus: Pellaea
It has been determined that this fern is of hybrid origin, with P. glabella as one parent. It is not fertile even now, but reproduces apogamously.
The purple cliff brake grows on limestone ledges and in cracks, occasionally on other rocks. It favors more sheltered and moister locations usually than P. glabella.
This fern can be grown in a rock garden with care.