Maidenhair Fern

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.