Coville's Lipfern is a striking, clumping fern native to southwestern North America. It has medium green leaves that are divided up to four times, giving them a lacy appearance. When mature, the spores cause the leaves to have a bumpy texture. Coville's Lipfern grows slowly via rhizomes and is drought-deciduous. It is well-suited for dry, shaded gardens and natural areas, where its unique foliage and texture can add visual interest.

1. Coville’s Lipfern – Cheilanthes covillei
Family: Pteridaceae
(ky-LAN-thees ko-VIL-ee-eye)
(Maidenhair Fern Family)
Native to: Southwestern U.S. and Baja. Locally in Santa Monica and San Gabriel Mtns; rocky slopes,
cliffs, ledges in chaparral, yellow pine forest, pinyon-juniper woodland, deserts 1500'-9000' elev.
clumping perennial fern mature height: 1-2 ft.
mature width: 1-2 ft.
Smaller fern with medium green leaves that are divided 3 or even 4 times, giving a lacy appearance.
Leaves with mature spores have a bumpy or pebbled appearance that is quite unusual and showy.
Grows very slowly via rhizomes, so gives a clumped appearance overall. Drought-deciduous.
Growth characteristics:
Non-blooming. Spores mature from late spring to fall.
around the edges of leaf segments on underside of leaves.
Blooms/fruits:
Sori are linear, found
Uses in the garden: A striking and unusual fern for drier shaded areas of the garden. Showy as a
pot plant – would work well with native wildflowers or grasses. Excellent choice for under oaks.
Would do well in a natural garden among shaded rocks or growing in a rock wall or rockery. Place
where you can enjoy its unique beauty. Gives a woodsy appearance to even a dry garden.
Sensible substitute for: Non-native ferns, including Lip Ferns.
Attracts: Good cover for birds, insects.
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Part-shade best – excellent in dappled shade under trees.
Well-drained; sandy or rocky best.
Occasional water to dry (Zone 2 or 1-2 optimal); needs fall dry period – will die back
to the ground.
None – but organic mulches are fine.
Management:
Fairly easy with proper conditions. Cut back dead leaves in late fall.
Propagation: from spores: challenging
by divisions: yes, in winter/early spring
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 8, 11
1/29/11
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