Maidenhair Spleenwort
(Asplenium trichomanes)

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

Family: Spleenwort Family (Aspleniaceae)

Group: Spleenworts

Similar species:
  •   Green Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes-ramosum) - 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: Cracks in rocks, mossy boulders

Native/Non-native: Native

Status: Common.

Photographs: 88 photographs available, of which 14 are featured on this page. SCROLL DOWN FOR PHOTOGRAPHS.

  

Ferns       Spleenworts

This fern commonly grows in cracks in rocks.

Maidenhair Spleenwort is easily recognizable.

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

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).

A young plant.

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.

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

Closeup view of the frond.

Very closeup view.

Herbarium specimen.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium, Burlington, Ontario)

Herbarium specimen.

(Royal Botanical Gardens Herbarium, Burlington, Ontario)
  

Ferns       Spleenworts

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