Botanical name:

Cheilanthes distans

Common name(s):

Woolly cloak fern, woolly rock fern

About:

A small tufted fern characterised by its narrow erect fronds, which feature dark green divided leaflets with rolled back margins. This fern typically reaches a height of approximately 20cm. The young fronds, while uncurling, along with the stems and undersurfaces, are covered in pale brown to rusty-coloured hairs, contributing to its common name. This particular species thrives in eastern regions, found at elevations from sea level up to 760m, spanning from the far north to Banks Peninsula. It prefers lightly shaded to open areas with dry conditions, though it may face threats from slugs, which can be a common pest.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to montane in dry, rocky habitats with only sparse or no vegetation cover. Often found growing with Asplenium flabellifolium, Cheilanthes sieberi subsp. sieberi and Pellaea calidirupium. More common in the drier eastern parts of the country.

Growing environment:

Frost, Sun, Shade, Wind, Coastal & Free draining tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

Kermadec’s Macauley Island, New Zealand’s Three Kings, North and South Islands. Also Australia and New Caledonia. In NZ mainly easterly from Te Paki south to Banks Peninsula.

Height: 20cm

Flowering: N/A Spore producing

Fruiting: N/A

Uses:

Riparian plantings, Pioneer Plantings & Container friendly

How to grow:

Easily grown in a dry sunny site. An excellent pot plant. In ideal conditions it soon self establishes.