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Phegopteris hexagonoptera View of fronds from above (Niagara, CA-ON)-Late Summer
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Woolly Lipfern Hemionitis bradburyi

Previously known as:

  • Allosorus tomentosus
  • Cheilanthes tomentosa
  • Myriopteris tomentosa
Phonetic Spelling
hem-ee-oh-NYE-tiss brad-BUR-ee-eye
Description

Woolly Lipfern is a small native deciduous fern found in rocky areas in the southeastern U.S.A. and Mexico.   It has hairs on most of its leaf and stem surfaces. This plant is drought and deer tolerant. The fronds of this plant curl up in dry weather but can easily be revived with water.

Grow this plant in part sun to dappled shade. This fern tolerates poorer soils and dry conditions better than most.

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#shade garden#spores#fern#dappled shade#NC native#deer resistant#rock garden#hairy leaves#native fern#hairy stems#mammals#partial shade tolerant#Audubon
 
Form
Form Megan Hansen CC-BY-SA 2.0
Closeup of fronds
Closeup of fronds Bob O'kennon CC BY-NC 4.0
Underside of frond
Underside of frond Bob O'kennon CC BY-NC 4.0
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#shade garden#spores#fern#dappled shade#NC native#deer resistant#rock garden#hairy leaves#native fern#hairy stems#mammals#partial shade tolerant#Audubon
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Hemionitis
    Species:
    bradburyi
    Family:
    Pteridaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and eastern U.S.A. and Mexico
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    This plant is seldom damaged by deer and rabbits.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Fern
    Native Plant
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Description:
    No flowers.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Gray/Silver
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Fronds
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Opposite
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Oblanceolate
    Oblong
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    Fronds emerge in clusters but not in fiddlhead form. Blades are gray-green and compound with 20 pinnae (leaflets)which are opposite.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Native Garden
    Attracts:
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought