Ontario Ferns website

Maidenhair Spleenwort
Asplenium trichomanes

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes) Other scientific names: Asplenium melanocaulon

Family: Spleenwort Family (Aspleniaceae)

Group: Spleenworts

Similar species:
  •   Green Spleenwort (Asplenium viride) - green stems.

  •   Smooth Woodsia (Woodsia glabella) - rare.

  •   Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) - similar in name only.

Fronds: Evergreen, Once divided

Height: 5-12 cm (2-5 in);  Very small.

Habitat: Forests;  Cracks in rocks, mossy boulders.

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Common.

Photographs: 124 photographs available, of which 14 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

Range Map is at the bottom of the page

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)

This fern commonly grows in cracks in rocks.

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)

Maidenhair Spleenwort is easily recognizable.

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)

Many small stems arise from a central point. The stems are purplish-brown (dark). This is in contrast to Green Spleenwort (Asplenium viride), which has green stems.

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)

Maidenhair Spleenwort often grows on in mossy rocks with other plants that like the same environment. Here it's growing alongside Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum).

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)

A young plant.

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)

Big mossy boulder, one of its preferred habitats. You probably can't see it in this photo. Hart's Tongue Fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) is also growing on this boulder.

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)

The other main typical habitat for finding this fern (in the crack).

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)

Closeup view of the frond.

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)

Very closeup view.

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)

Herbarium specimen.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium,Burlington,Ontario).

Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)

Herbarium specimen.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium,Burlington,Ontario).


Range map for Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes)

PLEASE NOTE: A coloured Province or State means this species occurs somewhere in that Province/State.
The entire Province/State is coloured, regardless of where in that Province/State it occurs.

(Range map provided courtesy of the USDA website and is displayed here in accordance with their Policies)