Maidenhair fern, genus Adiantum, comprises roughly 250 fern species, distinguished by dark, often black stalks and delicately cut, bright green leaf tissue. The genus name comes from the Greek for unwetted, describing how its fronds shed water rather than becoming soaked. Adiantum species favor humus-rich, moist, well-drained ground, from bottomland soil to vertical rock faces, and are especially common around waterfalls and seepage areas, with their greatest diversity in the Andes and further concentrations in eastern Asia. Adiantum capillus-veneris, the Venus-hair fern, is among the most widespread species, while North America's native five-fingered ferns, A. pedatum and A. aleuticum, are known for fronds that branch to one side only.
Facts
Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceDark, often black stipes and rachises, bright green, often delicately cut leaf tissue 1 Scientific Name Sources
1. Adiantum (Wikipedia)
Adiantum, Introduction
is a genus of about 250 species of ferns in the subfamily Vittarioideae of the family Pteridaceae
Adiantum, Description
They are distinctive in appearance, with dark, often black stipes and rachises, and bright green, often delicately cut leaf tissue.
View the SourceReader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.