Adiantum aethiopicum

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Maidenhair fern
Maidenhair - Chatswood West.jpg
Maidenhair fern at Ferndale Park, Chatswood West, Australia
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Division: Polypodiophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Family: Pteridaceae
Genus: Adiantum
Species:
A. aethiopicum
Binomial name
Adiantum aethiopicum
L.
Synonyms

Adiantum aethiopicum, also known as the common maidenhair fern, is a small fern of widespread distribution, occurring in Africa, Australia, Norfolk Island and New Zealand. [1]

Adiantum aethiopicum was one of the many species first described by Linnaeus, in this case in his Systema naturae in 1759. [2] The specific epithet aethiopicum in this sense was the Latin term for Africa south of the then known world, that is to say, more or less Africa south of Egypt. [3] [4] In South Africa the species occurs widely, though not generally profusely, mainly on moist sandstone cliffs in full shade. In the Cape Peninsula it is uncommon and grows mainly at the highest locally available altitudes, generally about 600–1,085 m (2,000–3,600 ft). [5]

Adiantum aethiopicum grows in spreading clumps of fronds from 10 to 45 cm (4 to 18 in) in height. The rhizomes are wiry and branched. The fronds are horizontal and layered, or upright. They are divided into two or three and have many small wedge-shaped segments, each of which has sori along its margins underneath. [3]

A common plant, often seen growing in moist areas. In Australia it is found near by creeks or in open forest, where it may form a large colony. [6]

The 1889 book 'The Useful Native Plants of Australia’ records that "This plant is said to possess medicinal properties, being slightly astringent and emetic. It has been used in Europe in making "Sirop de Capt'llaire," a demulcent drink, employed in diseases of the chest." [7]

Cultivation

Adiantum aethiopicum is a popular and well known ornamental plant. Propagation is from plant division or by spores. [8] In cultivation the Maidenhair fern prefers a well-lit situation inside, but a shady place outdoors without draughts. It is suitable for terrariums and hanging baskets. [9] It is fairly easy to grow, [10] and will flourish in moist garden soil or potting mix. [11]

Related Research Articles

<i>Adiantum</i> Genus of ferns

Adiantum, the maidenhair fern, is a genus of about 250 species of ferns in the subfamily Vittarioideae of the family Pteridaceae, though some researchers place it in its own family, Adiantaceae. The genus name comes from Greek, meaning "unwetted", referring to the fronds' ability to shed water without becoming wet.

<i>Adiantum capillus-veneris</i> Species of fern

Adiantum capillus-veneris, the Southern maidenhair fern, black maidenhair fern, maidenhair fern, and venus hair fern, is a species of ferns in the genus Adiantum and the family Pteridaceae with a subcosmopolitan worldwide distribution. It is cultivated as a popular garden fern and houseplant.

<i>Dicksonia antarctica</i> Species of fern

Dicksonia antarctica, the soft tree fern or man fern, is a species of evergreen tree fern native to eastern Australia, ranging from south-east Queensland, coastal New South Wales and Victoria to Tasmania.

<i>Adiantum diaphanum</i> Species of plant

Adiantum diaphanum, the filmy maidenhair fern, is a species of fern in the genus Adiantum, native to East Asia and Australasia, from southern Japan south to New Zealand. It grows to 20 cm long at the most, with very dark green fronds covered with bristles.

<i>Alsophila australis</i> Species of fern

Alsophila australis, synonym Cyathea australis, also known as the rough tree fern, is a species of tree fern native to southeastern Queensland, New South Wales and southern Victoria in Australia, as well as Tasmania and Norfolk Island.

<i>Alsophila capensis</i> Species of fern

Alsophila capensis, synonym Cyathea capensis, is a regionally widespread and highly variable species of tree fern. It is indigenous to Southern Africa and South America.

<i>Adiantum aleuticum</i> Species of fern

Adiantum aleuticum, the western maidenhair fern or Aleutian maidenhair, is a species of deciduous fern in the genus Adiantum.

<i>Adiantum bellum</i> Species of fern

Adiantum bellum is a species of fern in the family Pteridaceae, and is native to Bermuda.

<i>Asplenium trichomanes</i> Species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae

Asplenium trichomanes, the 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.

<i>Adiantum pedatum</i> Species of fern

Adiantum pedatum, the northern maidenhair fern or five-fingered fern, is a species of fern in the family Pteridaceae, native to moist forests in eastern North America. Like other ferns in the genus, the name maidenhair refers to the slender, shining black stipes.

<i>Todea barbara</i> Species of plant

Todea barbara is known as the king fern. Occurring in moist areas of south eastern Australia, and also indigenous to New Zealand and South Africa.

<i>Angiopteris evecta</i> Species of fern in the family Marattiaceae

Angiopteris evecta, commonly known as the king fern, giant fern, elephant fern, oriental vessel fern, Madagascar tree fern, or mule's Foot fern, is a very large rainforest fern in the family Marattiaceae native to most parts of Southeast Asia and Oceania. It has a history dating back about 300 million years, and is believed to have the longest fronds of any fern in the world.

<i>Adiantum hispidulum</i> Species of fern

Adiantum hispidulum, commonly known as rough maidenhair fern or five-fingered jack, is a small fern in the family Pteridaceae of widespread distribution. It is found in Africa, Australia, Polynesia, Malesia, New Zealand and other Pacific Islands. Its fronds rise in clumps from rhizomes among rocks or in the soil in sheltered areas.

<i>Adiantum formosum</i> Species of fern

Adiantum formosum, known as the giant maidenhair or black stem maidenhair is a fern found in Australia and New Zealand. It was one of the many species authored by Scottish botanist Robert Brown, appearing in his 1810 work Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen. Its species name is the Latin adjective formosus "handsome" or "beautiful".

<i>Adiantum viridimontanum</i> Species of fern

Adiantum viridimontanum, commonly known as Green Mountain maidenhair fern, is a fern found only in outcrops of serpentine rock in New England and Eastern Canada. The leaf blade is cut into finger-like segments, themselves once-divided, which are borne on the outer side of a curved, dark, glossy rachis. These finger-like segments are not individual leaves, but parts of a single compound leaf. The "fingers" may be drooping or erect, depending on whether the individual fern grows in shade or sunlight. Spores are borne under false indusia at the edge of the subdivisions of the leaf, a characteristic unique to the genus Adiantum.

<i>Adiantum raddianum</i> Species of fern

Adiantum raddianum, the Delta maidenhair fern, is one of the most popular ferns to grow indoors. It is native to South America and its common name comes from its shiny, dark leafstalks that resemble human hair. It typically grows about 17–19 in (43–48 cm) tall and up to 22 in (56 cm) wide. In the wild, it is found on forest floors, rock crevices, river banks, coastal cliffs, and basalt banks along trails and streams. The triangular fronds are semi-erect in the beginning then droop gracefully as they age and can be up to 12 inches (30 cm) long by 6 inches (15 cm) wide. The genus name Adiantum comes from the Greek word "adiantos", meaning "unwetted".

<i>Adiantum venustum</i> Species of fern

Adiantum venustum, the evergreen maidenhair or Himalayan maidenhair, is a species of fern in the genus Adiantum of the family Pteridaceae, native to China and the Himalayas. It is a slow to establish plant that usually grows on moist rocks and soil with a good amount of humus and dead leaves. It is very hardy, largely evergreen to -10 °C, when it becomes deciduous. It is also known as black Hansraj in India for its black stalks at the fronds.

<i>Adiantum philippense</i> Species of fern

Adiantum philippense,, also known as walking maidenhair fern, or black maidenhair, is a species of maidenhair fern (Adiantum) that is widely distributed through the southern hemisphere, notably Asia, Africa, and Madagascar.

Adiantum × mairisii is a species of fern in the family Pteridaceae.

References

  1. "Adiantum aethiopicum". Flora of Australia Online. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
  2. "Adiantum aethiopicum L." Australian Plant Name Index (APNI), IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  3. 1 2 Elliot, Rodger W.; Jones, David L.; Blake, Trevor (1985). Encyclopaedia of Australian Plants Suitable for Cultivation: Vol. 2. Port Melbourne: Lothian Press. p. 158. ISBN   0-85091-143-5.
  4. Marchant, J.R.V.; Charles Joseph F. (1952). Cassell's Latin dictionary. London: Cassell.
  5. Roux, J.P. (1979). Cape Peninsula Ferns. Kirstenbosch: National Botanic Gardens of South Africa. ISBN   0-620-03775-X.
  6. "Adiantum aethiopicum". PlantNET - NSW Flora Online. Retrieved 2010-07-17.
  7. J. H. Maiden (1889). The useful native plants of Australia : Including Tasmania. Turner and Henderson, Sydney.
  8. Cundall. P., (2008) Native Plants:The definitive guide to Australian plants, Global Book Publishing Lane Cove, N.S.W, page 278, ISBN   978-1-74048-027-7
  9. Ratcliffe, David & Patricia (1987). Australian Native Plants for Indoors. Crows Nest, NSW: Little Hills Press. p. 32. ISBN   0-949773-49-2.
  10. Hambrett, Jo (August 2003). "Summer in the garden". Garden Design Study Group Newsletter. Australian Native Plants Society (43): 12. ISSN   1039-9062.
  11. Hoshizaki, Barbara Joe; Moran, Robbin C. (2001). Fern Grower's Manual. Portland, Oregon: Timber Press. p. 159. ISBN   9780881924954.