Woodsia obtusa

Common Names

Blunt-lobed Woodsia, Blunt-lobed Cliff Fern, Common Woodsia

Summary

Woodsia obtusa, commonly known as Blunt-lobed Cliff Fern, is a small to medium evergreen fern native to eastern North America, it forms clumps with evergreen fronds that are twice-compound, lanceolate, and bear blunt lobes on the lowest pinnae, giving a lace-like appearance, sori on the undersides are protected by broad, lobed indusia that split open to release spores, and it spreads slowly by a creeping rhizome to form a compact clump, it prefers part shade to full shade and well-drained rocky or sandy soils, with moisture ranging from medium to moderately dry, it tolerates neutral to slightly alkaline conditions and is hardy in USDA zones 4a through 10b, propagation is by division or spores, in cultivation, it suits rock gardens, shade gardens, woodland plantings, or native plant displays, and is deer resistant

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

12-18 inches

Spread

3-20 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-8

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally partial shade to full shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained, rocky or sandy soil that is moist but not waterlogged, tolerates acidic to alkaline pH

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

No single ideal pH, tolerates a wide pH range from below 6.0 to just above 7, neutral to slightly alkaline soils tolerated

Bloom Color

Insignificant

Bloom Time

Non-flowering

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Green year-round; no fall foliage color.

Leaf Lifecycle

Other

Growth Rate

Slow growth, 2–5 years to reach ultimate height

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Spores, Division

Attracts Wildlife

No evidence from sources of attraction to bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, other pollinators, or birds