Woodsia glabella, commonly known as the smooth cliff fern, is a species of homosporous fern. An obligate lithophyte, it is found in the Holarctic realm. It can be found at altitudes of up to 1500âÂÂ3000 m. The species name glabella is a diminutive of the Latin word glaber, meaning without hair, and refers to the plant's glabrousness.
The smooth cliff fern is found across Europe, Asia, and North America.
Woodsia glabella is a small fern with leaf blades 1âÂÂ1.5 cm wide. It is the smallest species in its genus.