Spleenwort Fern

Species Family Genus Common names

: Asplenium Trichomanes : Aspleniaceae : Asplenium : Maidenhair Spleenwort Fern

This hardy evergreen fern grown in clusters is usually found on limestone but may also sometimes be found on other rocks. It somewhat resembles Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum).

Spleenwort fern has sterile fronds 3-6 inches long that are flat and spread from the center. It has dark purple-brown, wiry stiff rachis (stem) and each front is divided into numerous pairs of oblong to oval pinnae (leaflets), toothed on the top and outer edge. The pinnae are perpendicular to the rachis and lie opposite to each other. The pinnae are about 5 mm wide and entire-margined below, but shallowly lobed toward the tip. Spores (sori) are borne in 1-4 clusters arranged along the veins on the underside of the pinnae, and are partially covered by the flap-like indusium.

It prefer well-drained, moist, limy loam in partial sun. It needs shade and excellent drainage. Propagation is done by spores or division.

Questions & Answers

1.  Posted on : 9.6.2010  By  :  Pallavi h.Kumar , Ponani, Ponani Post Answer   What are the creepers?With more examples   Ans:  Creepers are very much similar to climbers, like money plant, monstera, rangoon creeper, passion flower, they need support to grow upward or they have weak stems.   Posted by Yash R Toliwal , New Panvel (Maharashtra)

2.  Posted on : 21.4.2009  By  :  Julie Shaw , USA Post Answer   What is the tiniest fern? Our bonsi club was considering using very tiny ferns as accept plants but can't find any small enough to suit us. Thanks J.Shaw   Ans:  First thing is that the plant which u r seecting for making bonsai should have strong stem, ferns do not have the same characteristic, in other words u cannot make a bonsai of a fern.   Posted by Yash R Toliwal, New Panvel (Maharashtra)

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