The blunt-lobbed cliff fern is in the spleenwort family (Aspleniaceae). Native to eastern North America, this fern is found throughout the mountains and Piedmont region of North Carolina, though it is rare in the Coastal Plain. Two fertile subspecies exist: a diploid form in the western part of its range and a predominantly tetraploid form in the east. The genus Woodsia is named in honor of the botanical author Joseph Woods. The species epithet obtusa , meaning “blunt,” refers to the rounded lobes on each leaflet. The common name, blunt-lobed cliff fern, reflects both this distinctive leaf structure and the plant’s preference for rocky habitats. Best grown in sandy or fertile, rocky soils, this species prefers conditions that are moist to moderately dry and neutral to slightly alkaline in pH. Good drainage is essential, as it will not tolerate poorly drained soils. This small to medium-sized fern has a delicate, feathery appearance, yet it is surprisingly tolerant of drier conditions. It naturally inhabits rocky outcrops and cliff faces, making it well-suited for similar environments in cultivation. An excellent choice for rock gardens, stone walls, or containers, the blunt-lobed cliff fern adds fine texture and resilience to challenging planting sites. Quick ID hints Mostly bipinnate pinnatifid Forked veins of the subleaflets do not extend to the margins The indusium splits and divides into 4-6 star-shaped sections Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington , Director of JC Raulston Arboretum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
Available space
Less than 12 inches; 12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
Lacy, narrowly oblong, gray-green fronds have many glands and hairs on both surfaces; bipinnate-pinnatifid erect fronds; nearly opposite pinna are widely spaced; bluntly lobed pinnules; rounded sori surrounded by ragged indusia are borne on tips of veins of pinnules; stipe is dark orange at base and yellow above; produces new fronds throughout growing season.
Flower detail
No flowers.
Fruit detail
No fruits. This plants reproduces via spores.
Stem color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Orange
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern half of North America, Canada to Florida, west to Texas