Coffee Cliffbrake
(Pellaea andromedifolia)
Coffee Cliffbrake (Pellaea andromedifolia)
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Dana L. Brown
CC BY-SA 2.0
Image By:
Dana L. Brown
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY-SA 2.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Dana L. Brown | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/ | Uploader: Dana L. Brown | Publisher: Flickr |
Estimated Native Range
Summary
Pellaea andromedifolia, commonly known as Coffee Cliffbrake, is an evergreen perennial fern native to the chaparral and shaded rocky slopes in California and Baja California. It typically grows to a height of 1-3 feet (0.3-0.9 meters) and a width of 2-6 feet (0.6-1.8 meters). This fern is characterized by its unique fronds, which have rounded or oval-shaped segments, known as pinnae, that are widely spaced along the central stem, or rachis. The pinnae often curl under at the edges, giving the plant a distinctive appearance. Coffee Cliffbrake is adapted to survive dry periods; it can shrivel and appear dead, only to revive and produce new growth rapidly after rainfall.
Coffee Cliffbrake is valued for its drought tolerance and unique foliage, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and rock gardens. It thrives in full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soils with low water once established. This fern is not commonly used in mass plantings but can be an intriguing addition to a fern collection or as an accent in a shaded garden. It is slow-growing and tends to form clumps rather than spreading aggressively. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Coffee Cliffbrake is valued for its drought tolerance and unique foliage, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and rock gardens. It thrives in full sun to part shade and requires well-drained soils with low water once established. This fern is not commonly used in mass plantings but can be an intriguing addition to a fern collection or as an accent in a shaded garden. It is slow-growing and tends to form clumps rather than spreading aggressively. While generally low-maintenance, it can be susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Fern
- Height: 1-3 feet
- Width: 1.5-6 feet
- Growth Rate: Slow
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Non-Flowering
- Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Low
- Drainage: Medium, Fast
Common Uses
Low Maintenance
Natural Habitat
Chaparral and shaded rocky slopes in California and Northwestern Mexico
Other Names
Common Names: Coffee Fern
Scientific Names: , Pellaea andromedifolia, Pellaea andromedifolia var. andromedifolia, Pellaea andromedifolia var. pubescens, Pellaea andromedifolia subsp. pubescens, Pteris andromedifolia, Allosorus andromedifolius, Cassebeera andromedifolia, Cassebeera andromedifolia var. gracilis, Cassebeera andromedifolia var. pubescens
GBIF Accepted Name: Pellaea andromedifolia (Kaulf.) Fée