Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium var. americanum)
Other common names:
American Hart's Tongue Fern Other scientific names: Phyllitis fernaldiana, Phyllitis japonica ssp. americanus, Phyllitis scolopendrium, Phyllitis scolopendrium var. americana, Scolopendrium vulgare Family: Spleenwort Family (Aspleniaceae) Distinctive features:
At first glance, very un-fernlike. Individual, undivided leaves. Similar species: • Walking Fern (Asplenium rhizophyllum) - but that fern is rather unique •
Other non-fern plants - Might be confused with non-fern plants. Fronds: Evergreen; Undivided; Simple, undivided. Usually lie along the ground. Sometimes upright. Up to about 1 foot long. Height:
Lies low along the ground, sometimes upright. Leaves up to about 1 foot long. Habitat:
Rocky areas. Forsts and shaded areas. Native/Non-native:
Native Status:
Very Rare
Photographs:
59 photographs available, of which 10 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.
An upright Hart's Tongue Fern plant.
Another specimen. Note the indentation at the base of each leaf (frond).
Not a typical fern-like shape at all! This fern loves rocky shaded areas.
Sometimes the fronds do not grow upright, but lay along the ground instead.
Almost lost among the fallen leaves of last fall.
This fern is VERY RARE. If you find some, please do not disturb it, and keep its location to yourself, only sharing it with responsible naturalists and botanists.
Young leaves in spring.
The central growth "knob". Note the small unfurled fronds ready to grow up.
The sori on the underside of the leaf. This is where the spores grow and are released from.
A "grove" of Hart's Tongue Fern in deeply shaded rocky woods.
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