Petiole rounded or slightly flattened adaxially in distal portion; rachis villous, especially in axils of pinnae; pinnae with hairs scattered along main veins abaxially; largest ultimate segments (excluding terminal pinnae) usually more than 18 mm; spores averaging 46--53 µm diam. 2 n = 116.

Sporulating summer--fall. Rocky slopes and ledges, on igneous substrates; 2300--2700 m; Tex.; Mexico.

The only record of Pellaea ternifolia subsp. villosa from the flora is provided by a single plant collected in the Davis Mountains of western Texas.