maidenhair spleenwort
Asplenium trichomanes
Its common name refers to the ancient doctrine of signatures, where its spleen-shaped sori (spore clumps) led people to believe it could cure spleen ailments.
- Scientific name
- Asplenium trichomanes
- Taxonomy
- Plantae › Tracheophyta › Polypodiopsida › Polypodiales › Aspleniaceae › Asplenium
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Shaded rock crevices, limestone cliffs, mortar joints of old stone walls, and moist talus slopes.
- Diet
- Autotrophic (photosynthesis, utilizing moisture and minerals accumulated in rock crevices).
- Range
- Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, South America, Australasia
- Size
- Fronds typically grow 10 to 30 cm in length.
- Lifespan
- Perennial, living for 10 to 30 years.
- Active
- diurnal
- Threats
- Loss of old stone walls to modern masonry, quarrying, and localized over-collection by gardeners.
- Safe to approach?
- This plant is entirely harmless and safe to touch. To protect fragile rock ecosystems, admire it without dislodging it from its crevice. No special precautions or medical actions are necessary.
Asplenium trichomanes (commonly known as maidenhair spleenwort ) is a small fern in the spleenwort genus Asplenium . It is a widespread and common species, occurring almost worldwide in a variety of rocky habitats. It is a variable fern with several subspecies.
Photo: Douglas Goldman, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist
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