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spleenwort
Scientific Name: Asplenium
Family: Aspleniaceae
Category: Fern
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Spleenwort Ferns: A Diverse Genus
Spleenwort refers to a large genus of ferns known scientifically as Asplenium, belonging to the family Aspleniaceae (Spleenwort Family).
Considerations for Pets
- Some Spleenwort ferns have "linear or oblong sori arranged along the" fronds. These are reproductive structures that release spores.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Genus: Asplenium
- Family: Aspleniaceae
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Examples of Species and Synonyms:
- Asplenium platyneuron (Ebony Spleenwort or Brownstem Spleenwort) - Synonym: Asplenium ebeneum
- Asplenium trichomanes (Maidenhair Spleenwort) - Sometimes listed as Asplenium trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens
- Asplenium dentatum (Toothed Spleenwort) - Synonym: Asplenium trichomanes-dentatum
- Other Species: Asplenium bulbiferum (Mother Spleenwort), Asplenium heteroresiliens (Carolina Spleenwort, Wagner's Spleenwort, Morzenti's Spleenwort), Asplenium listeri (Christmas Island Spleenwort), Asplenium oblongifolium (Shining Spleenwort), Asplenium obovatum (Lanceolate Spleenwort), Asplenium adiantum-nigrum (Black Spleenwort), Asplenium viride (Limestone Maidenhair Spleenwort), Asplenosorus ebenoides (Scott's Spleenwort)
Common Names
- Spleenwort
- Ebony Spleenwort
- Brownstem Spleenwort
- Maidenhair Spleenwort
- Dense Spleenwort
- Toothed Spleenwort
- Brightgreen Spleenwort
- Carolina Spleenwort
- Wagner's Spleenwort
- Morzenti's Spleenwort
- Christmas Island Spleenwort
- Shining Spleenwort
- Lanceolate Spleenwort
- Black Spleenwort
- Limestone Maidenhair Spleenwort
- Scott's Spleenwort
- King and Queen Fern
- Parsley Fern
- Hen and Chickens Fern
- Mother Fern
- Wall-rue Spleenwort
Distribution and Habitat
- Spleenworts are widely distributed in temperate and tropical regions.
- Ebony Spleenwort is native to North America east of.
- Ebony Spleenwort commonly grows on rocky slopes with thin soil, bare rock, or mortar.
- Maidenhair Spleenwort can be found on rocks, old walls, and mossy branches.
- Japan is home to miniature spleenwort ferns, such as Asplenium trichomanes and Asplenium incisum, which prefer rocky outcrops.
- Several species are well-represented in New Zealand, including Asplenium oblongifolium found in coastal areas.
- Asplenium obovatum is a scarce species mainly found in coastal locations.
- Asplenium dentatum is native to Bermuda, Florida, the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America.
- Limestone Maidenhair Spleenwort is mainly seen on old walls, cliffs, scree and in crevices on rock which is rich in lime.
- Asplenium listeri is found only on Christmas Island.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Spleenworts are typically evergreen ferns.
- Maidenhair Spleenwort is a small fern that grows in tufts.
- Wall-rue Spleenwort is a small, delicate, evergreen fern with branched fronds about 1.5 to 7 inches (4 to 17 cm) long.
- They have undivided to featherlike fronds with oblong to linear sori.
- Some species have short rhizomes that produce tufts of firm, triangular, shiny, dark green evergreen fronds, 10 to 40 cm long that are once to three times pinnate.
- Individual leaves are 1-3' long and 1-2" across.
- Fronds are usually up to 20cm long and have short round leaves.
Quirky Facts
- The name "Spleenwort" is derived from the supposed medicinal use of these ferns to treat spleen ailments.
- The ancient Greek name for Maidenhair Spleenwort, "Trichomanes," means "hair of the head," likely from "tricho" (hairy) and "manes" (flowing).