Native Plants

Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Enter a Plant Name:
Or you can choose a plant family:

Woodsia ilvensis

Woodsia ilvensis (L.) R. Br.

Rusty Woodsia, Rusty Cliff Fern

Dryopteridaceae (Wood Fern Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: WOIL

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (N), CAN (N), GL (N)

Small, 2-10 in. fronds are dark green above and densely covered below with rusty-brown chaff. Twice-pinnate pinnae.

From the Image Gallery

No images of this plant

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb , Fern
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Notes: Fronds up to about 10 inches long.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Notes: Non-flowering, sporulating plant. Sporulates Jun - Sep.

Distribution

USA: AK , CT , IA , IL , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , RI , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: AB , BC , MB , NB , NL , NS , NT , NU , ON , QC , SK , YT
Native Distribution: Arctic region, s. to New England, PA, upland NC, MI, n. IL, n. IA, Alt. & B.C.
Native Habitat: Dry, exposed, rocky slopes & ledges. Always in contact with rocks.

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Soil Description: Rocky, moderately acid soils.

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Woodsia ilvensis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Woodsia ilvensis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Woodsia ilvensis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2023-06-12
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back