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Cryptogramma spp.
parsley fern
Northern Hemisphere mountains; outliers in South America
Container Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Cryptogramma spp. is a small genus of about ten ferns in the family Pteridaceae, known as parsley ferns or rock brakes, native to mountains and cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and parts of South America. The ferns are tufted and grow 4-12 inches (10-30 cm) tall from short, branching rhizomes, forming neat clumps in rock crevices and scree. The fronds are of two kinds: short, broad, parsley-like sterile fronds, and taller, narrower fertile fronds whose segments roll under to cover the spore-bearing sori along their margins. The bright-green sterile fronds give the genus its parsley-fern name. Cryptogramma spp. grows on acidic rock, in scree, on stone walls, and among boulders, usually in cool, moist, well-lit mountain sites. It is intolerant of lime and of hot, dry lowland conditions, and the deciduous species die back to the rhizome in winter. In cultivation it is grown by specialists in rock and alpine gardens, where it needs gritty, acidic, free-draining soil, cool roots, and steady moisture without waterlogging.
Native Range
Cryptogramma spp. is native to the mountains and cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, and Asia, with outliers in South America. It grows on acidic rock, scree, and stone walls in montane and alpine zones.Suggested Uses
Cryptogramma spp. is grown by alpine and rock-garden specialists in crevices, troughs, and scree beds with acidic grit. It suits cool, moist, lime-free positions where larger ferns would not establish. In the wild it is a colonizer of mountain rock and stabilized scree.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'
Width/Spread4" - 10"
Colors
Foliage Colors
Bloom Information
Ferns reproduce by spores rather than flowers. Spores ripen in summer within sori along the rolled margins of the fertile fronds, and release as the fronds dry. New plants also arise as the branching rhizome spreads through scree and crevices.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
bright greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Cryptogramma spp. grows in cool, bright positions in gritty, acidic, sharply drained soil, mimicking the mountain scree of its native range. It needs steady moisture at the roots through the growing season but cannot tolerate stagnant wet or lime. The deciduous species die back in winter and reappear in spring, while cool summers and good air movement help them persist. Hot, dry, lowland conditions shorten their life or kill them outright. In rock and alpine gardens, a north-facing crevice or a trough of acidic grit suits them. Propagation is by spores or by careful division of established clumps.Pruning
Cryptogramma spp. needs no pruning. Old or frost-damaged fronds can be removed in late winter before the new fronds unfurl. Clearing dead fronds also keeps the small clumps tidy in a rock garden.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons