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bluntleaf spleenwort
Scientific Name: Asplenium obtusifolium
Family: Aspleniaceae
Category: Fern
Growth: Forb/herb
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Asplenium: A Diverse Genus of Spleenworts
The genus Asplenium, commonly known as spleenworts, encompasses a variety of fern species with distinct characteristics and habitats. This article explores several Asplenium species and related plants, highlighting their key features and ecological roles.
Considerations for Pets
- Several species within the Asplenium genus have leaf tips that vary from blunt to sharp.
Considerations for Children
- Several species within the Asplenium genus have leaf tips that vary from blunt to sharp.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Genus: Asplenium L.
- Family: Aspleniaceae
- Species Examples:
- Asplenium tutwilerae (Tutwiler's spleenwort or Scott's fertile spleenwort)
- Asplenium ebenoides (Scott's spleenwort, dragon tail fern or walking fern)
- Asplenium resiliens (Blackstem spleenwort or little ebony spleenwort)
- Asplenium trichomanes (Maidenhair spleenwort)
- Asplenium trichomanes ssp. trichomanes
- Asplenium trichomanes ssp. pachyrachis
- Asplenium platyneuron (Ebony spleenwort)
- Asplenium montanum (Mountain Spleenwort)
- Asplenium viride (Green Spleenwort)
- Asplenium billotii (Blunt-leaved or Lanceolate spleenwort)
- Asplenium ceterach (Rusty-back fern)
- Asplenium onopteris (Acute-leaved or Western black spleenwort)
- Asplenium obtusifolium (Blunt-leaf Spleenwort)
- Synonyms/Related Plants:
- Asplenium x ebenoides (Scott's Spleenwort)
- Athyrium pycnocarpon (Narrow-leaved spleenwort)
- Deparia petersenii (Japanese false spleenwort)
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Some Asplenium species, like Asplenium tutwilerae, exhibit slight frond dimorphism, with fertile leaf blades being larger.
- Asplenium ebenoides has leaf blades that are spreading to erect, with fertile fronds slightly taller than sterile fronds.
- The stipe of Asplenium resiliens is straight and stiff.
- Asplenium platyneuron has sterile fronds that are 2-6 inches long and evergreen.
- Leaves of some species are lanceolate (awl-shaped), ascending to spreading, and not toothed.
- Some varieties exhibit blunt-tipped scales.
Distribution and Habitat
- Some species are found on limestone cliffs.
- Asplenium species can be found growing in moist, shaded areas within rocks.
- Southern Arizona Spleenworts are noted as NOT being Xerophytes (adapted to dry environments).
Quirky Facts
- The text mentions a historical method of plant reproduction involving "passing the plant, under pressure, between a plate of soft lead from which an electrotype could be made" to create an image of Asplenium viride.