Cheilanthes clevelandii: Cleveland's Lipfern

Cheilanthes clevelandii, Cleveland's Lipfern, is a small, charming, evergreen fern native to California and Baja California. It forms a compact clump of bipinnate to tripinnate fronds with small, oval to fan-shaped, blue-green pinnules. The undersides are sparsely covered in white to pale yellow farina (powder). The stipe and rachis are dark, wiry, and scaly. It grows on dry, rocky slopes and cliffs.

Plant Profile

Cleveland's Lipfern is a true xerophyte. It demands full sun to very light shade, sharp drainage, and gritty, lean soil. Water extremely sparingly. It is ideal for crevice gardens, rock walls, alpine troughs, and containers in Mediterranean and desert climates. The delicate, lacy texture belies its extreme toughness. A gem for the rock garden enthusiast.