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
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Woolly lipfern is a small, herbaceous perennial fern in the ribbon-fern family (Pteridaceae) found in rocky areas in the southern U.S.A. and Mexico. The species epithet commemorates English naturalist John Bradbury (1768–1823), who explored for plants in the American Midwest.
This fern grows in dappled sun and partial shade. It needs loamy soil with drainage but can grow in rocky areas. Woolly lipfern is drought and deer tolerant. It has hairs on most of its leaf and stem surfaces. The fronds of this plant curl up in dry weather but can easily be revived with water. This fern tolerates poorer soils and dry conditions better than most other ferns.
It can be grown in rock gardens or rocky streams, woodlands or native gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: no serious problems.
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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
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Flowers:
- Flower Description:
- No flowers.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
