SafePlants

Forest Spleenwort (Asplenium contiguum)

Asplenium contiguum, commonly known as forest spleenwort, is a forb/herb, meaning it's a non-woody plant that isn't a grass.

Considerations for Pets

• Some spleenworts are found growing on rocks and walls.
• Fertilizers are used to feed forest spleenwort.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Asplenium contiguum Kaulf.
• Common Name: Forest spleenwort
• Family: Aspleniaceae (Spleenwort Family)
• Genus: Asplenium L.
• Varieties:
  • Asplenium contiguum var. contiguum
  • Asplenium contiguum var. hirtulum C. Chr.

Distribution and Habitat

• Found in forests, including Nothofagus-Podocarp forests, Engelmann spruce-subalpine fir forests, broad-leaved evergreen forests (hammocks), and conifer plantations.
• Specific locations mentioned include:
  • Makawao Forest Reserve, Maui, Hawaii
  • Gwydir Forest, Conwy county borough
  • New Forest, UK
  • Lough Navar Forest near Derrygonnelly
  • Canary Islands, Tenerife

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Some spleenworts are small ferns that grow in tufts.
• Green spleenwort has short, creeping rhizomes.
• Black spleenwort fern shows a wide range of morphological variation.

Ecological Role

• Forked spleenwort (Asplenium septentrionale) is part of the calaminarian assemblage of Gwydir Forest, growing on metal-rich soils associated with former mine sites.
• Japanese false spleenwort (Deparia petersenii) is considered an invasive species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems.

Quirky Facts

• The Maidenhair Spleenwort was found at a Scheduled Ancient Monument near Coleford in the Royal Forest of Dean at a Furnace.

Further Information

• Discover Life provides a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Asplenium contiguum.
• NatureServe lists Asplenium contiguum var. contiguum as globally vulnerable (G3T3).
• BioLib.cz contains information from Forest & Kim Starr.
• iNaturalist.org