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 a deciduous, drought-tolerant fern of moderate size that grows in dry woodland areas and rock outcrops. It is native to the North Carolina Piedmont and mountains. The foliage of dark green fronds are very attractive, but tend to dry up and curl in dry conditions. However, it will spring back to life when moisture is added. The fern leaves and stems are covered with hairs, hence the common name.
Unlike most woodland ferns, Hairy Lipfern does well in full sun, but may need additional water. The plant will spread slowly by rhizomes in hospitable environments and it can easily be propagated by division of the rootball. Plant this fern in very well-draining soils in full sun to part shade. It prefers an acidic PH, but is very soil tolerant and will even grow in cracks on walls. You can use this plant in a rock garden, containers, crevices or borders.
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
- 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
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
