P. glabella ranges widely in the United States and much of Canada, excluding the northernmost regions and Alaska.

P. glabella is epipetric, normally growing on well-weathered limestone, usually in cracks with little or no soil.

It can also be found on sandstone and basalt, probably in places where calcium is locally concentrated.

It can be distinguished from Pellaea atropurpurea by its smooth, not hairy, stipe and rachis (the main leaf stalk and stem).

Glabella and missouriensis have hairlike scales near the midrib, while simplex and occidentalis are completely glabrous.