Hairy Lipfern Hemionitis lanosa
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cheilanthes lanosa
- Myriopteris lanosa
- Phonetic Spelling
- hem-ee-oh-NYE-tiss LAN-oh-suh
- Description
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Hairy lipfern is an herbaceous perennial fern in the ribbon-fern family (Pteridaceae). It is native to the Central and Southeastern U.S.A., including the North Carolina Piedmont and mountains. The species epithet is Latin for “woolly” and refers to the soft hairs that clothe the fronds.
Unlike most woodland ferns, hairy lipfern does well in full sun but may need additional water. It likes good drainage and acidic soil and accepts a variety of soil textures including clay, loamy, organic and rocky.
Hairy lipfern is a small fern at about 1 foot high and 1.5 feet wide. The foliage of dark green fronds is very attractive but tend to dry up and curl in dry conditions. However, it will spring back to life when moisture is added. The plant will spread slowly by rhizomes in hospitable environments, and it can easily be propagated by division of the rootball.
Use this plant in a rock garden, in containers, or in crevices or borders. It can be used in native gardens and in woodland areas.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or pest issues.
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:
- lanosa
- Family:
- Pteridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central and southeastern U.S.A.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is seldom damaged by deer and rabbits.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 3 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Fern
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 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:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Fronds
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Pinnate green fronds with hairs are 6 to 10 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Redish brown stems with hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Rock Wall
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
