''Asplenium'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of about 700

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

fern A fern (Polypodiopsida or Polypodiophyta ) is a member of a group of vascular plants (plants with xylem and phloem) that reproduce via spores and have neither seeds nor flowers. The polypodiophytes include all living pteridophytes except t ...

s, often treated as the only genus in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Aspleniaceae The Aspleniaceae (spleenworts) are a family of ferns, included in the order Polypodiales. The composition and classification of the family have been subject to considerable changes. In particular, there is a narrow circumscription, Aspleniaceae ...

, though other authors consider ''

Hymenasplenium ''Hymenasplenium'' is one of three genera of ferns in the Aspleniaceae (spleenwort family), in the eupolypods II clade of the order Polypodiales. The others are ''Hemidictyum'' and ''Asplenium''. ''Hymenasplenium'' was segregated because it is a ...

'' separate, based on

molecular phylogenetic Molecular phylogenetics () is the branch of phylogeny that analyzes genetic, hereditary molecular differences, predominantly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. From these analyses, it is possible to ...

analysis of

DNA sequence DNA sequencing is the process of determining the nucleic acid sequence – the order of nucleotides in DNA. It includes any method or technology that is used to determine the order of the four bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. Th ...

s, a different chromosome count, and structural differences in the rhizomes. The

type species In zoological nomenclature, a type species (''species typica'') is the species name with which the name of a genus or subgenus is considered to be permanently taxonomically associated, i.e., the species that contains the biological type specimen ...

for the genus is ''

Asplenium marinum ''Asplenium marinum'' is a fern known as the sea spleenwort because of its preference for maritime habitats. Located around the coasts of Europe from Italy in the South to Norway in the North, its most Southern distribution extends to the Norther ...

''. The most common vernacular name is spleenworts, applied to the more "typical" species. '' A. nidus'' and several similar species are called

bird's-nest fern Bird's-nest fern is a common name applied to several related species of epiphytic ferns in the genus ''Asplenium ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other auth ...

s, the ''Camptosorus'' group is known as walking ferns, and distinct names are applied to some other particularly well-known species.

Taxonomy and genetics

Many groups of species have been separated from ''Asplenium'' as segregate genera. These include ''Camptosorus'', ''Ceterach'', ''Phyllitis'', and ''Tarachia'', but these species can form

hybrid Hybrid may refer to: Science * Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding ** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species ** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two dif ...

s with other ''Asplenium'' species and because of this are usually included in a more broadly defined ''Asplenium''. Some of the older classifications elevate the Aspleniaceae to the

taxonomic rank In biological classification, taxonomic rank is the relative level of a group of organisms (a taxon) in an ancestral or hereditary hierarchy. A common system consists of species, genus, family (biology), family, order (biology), order, class (b ...

of order as Aspleniales. The newer classifications place it in the subordinal group called eupolypods within the order

Polypodiales The order Polypodiales encompasses the major lineages of polypod ferns, which comprise more than 80% of today's fern species. They are found in many parts of the world including tropical, semitropical and temperate areas. Description Polypodiale ...

. Within the eupolypods, Aspleniaceae belongs to a

clade A clade (), also known as a monophyletic group or natural group, is a group of organisms that are monophyletic – that is, composed of a common ancestor and all its lineal descendants – on a phylogenetic tree. Rather than the English term, ...

informally and provisionally known as eupolypods II. It has been found that in some species, the

chloroplast A chloroplast () is a type of membrane-bound organelle known as a plastid that conducts photosynthesis mostly in plant and algal cells. The photosynthetic pigment chlorophyll captures the energy from sunlight, converts it, and stores it in ...

genome In the fields of molecular biology and genetics, a genome is all the genetic information of an organism. It consists of nucleotide sequences of DNA (or RNA in RNA viruses). The nuclear genome includes protein-coding genes and non-coding ge ...

has

evolved Evolution is change in the heritable characteristics of biological populations over successive generations. These characteristics are the expressions of genes, which are passed on from parent to offspring during reproduction. Variation t ...

in complex and highly unusual ways. This makes standard

cladistic Cladistics (; ) is an approach to biological classification in which organisms are categorized in groups (" clades") based on hypotheses of most recent common ancestry. The evidence for hypothesized relationships is typically shared derived char ...

analyses unsuited to resolve the

phylogeny A phylogenetic tree (also phylogeny or evolutionary tree Felsenstein J. (2004). ''Inferring Phylogenies'' Sinauer Associates: Sunderland, MA.) is a branching diagram or a tree showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological spec ...

of that particular group of ferns, and even very sophisticated

computational phylogenetics Computational phylogenetics is the application of computational algorithms, methods, and programs to phylogenetic

methods yield little information. In addition to hybridization running rampant in parts of this genus, there are also some species like the

mother spleenwort ''Asplenium bulbiferum'', known as mother spleenwort, is a fern species native to New Zealand only. It is also called hen and chicken fern and, in the Māori language, pikopiko, mouku or mauku. Its fronds are eaten as a vegetable. It grows sma ...

(''A. bulbiferum'') or '' A. viviparum'' which mainly reproduce asexually, essentially

cloning Cloning is the process of producing individual organisms with identical or virtually identical DNA, either by natural or artificial means. In nature, some organisms produce clones through asexual reproduction. In the field of biotechnology, cl ...

themselves over and over again. While most are

diploid Ploidy () is the number of complete sets of chromosomes in a cell, and hence the number of possible alleles for autosomal and pseudoautosomal genes. Sets of chromosomes refer to the number of maternal and paternal chromosome copies, respectively ...

tetraploid Polyploidy is a condition in which the cells of an organism have more than one pair of ( homologous) chromosomes. Most species whose cells have nuclei (eukaryotes) are diploid, meaning they have two sets of chromosomes, where each set contains ...

, some species (e.g. '' A. shuttleworthianum'') are octoploid.

Uses

Both the scientific name and the common name "spleenwort" are derived from an old belief, based on the

doctrine of signatures The doctrine of signatures, dating from the time of Dioscorides and Galen, states that herbs resembling various parts of the body can be used by herbalists to treat ailments of those body parts. A theological justification, as stated by botanists ...

, that the fern was useful for ailments of the

spleen The spleen is an organ found in almost all vertebrates. Similar in structure to a large lymph node, it acts primarily as a blood filter. The word spleen comes .

, due to the spleen-shaped sori on the backs of the

frond A frond is a large, divided leaf. In both common usage and botanical nomenclature, the leaves of ferns are referred to as fronds and some botanists restrict the term to this group. Other botanists allow the term frond to also apply to the lar ...

s. "-wort" is an ancient English term that simply means "

plant Plants are predominantly photosynthetic eukaryotes of the kingdom Plantae. Historically, the plant kingdom encompassed all living things that were not animals, and included algae and fungi; however, all current definitions of Plantae exclud ...

" (compare

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

''-wurz''). The plants were thought to cause

infertility Infertility is the inability of a person, animal or plant to reproduce by natural means. It is usually not the natural state of a healthy adult, except notably among certain eusocial species (mostly haplodiploid insects). It is the normal state ...

in women.

Vitruvius Vitruvius (; c. 80–70 BC – after c. 15 BC) was a Roman architect and engineer during the 1st century BC, known for his multi-volume work entitled ''De architectura''. He originated the idea that all buildings should have three attribute ...

relates the story of the name thus:

... certain pastures in Crete, on each side of the river Pothereus, which separates the two Cretan states of Gnosus and Gortyna. There are cattle at pasture on the right and left banks of that river, but while the cattle that feed near Gnosus have the usual spleen, those on the other side near Gortyna have no perceptible spleen. On investigating the subject, physicians discovered on this side a kind of herb which the cattle chew and thus make their spleen small. The herb is therefore gathered and used as a medicine for the cure of splenetic people. The Cretans call it ἄσπληνον.

A few of these ferns have some economic importance in the

horticulture Horticulture is the branch of agriculture that deals with the art, science, technology, and business of plant cultivation. It includes the cultivation of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, herbs, sprouts, mushrooms, algae, flowers, seaweeds and no ...

trade. The

s ('' A. nidus'' and several very similar, closely related species) are commonly found for sale as a

house plant A houseplant, sometimes known as a pot plant, potted plant, or an indoor plant, is an ornamental plant that is grown indoors. As such, they are found in places like residences and offices, mainly for decorative purposes. Common houseplants are us ...

. The Australian

(''A. bulbiferum'') is sometimes available at

greenhouse A greenhouse (also called a glasshouse, or, if with sufficient heating, a hothouse) is a structure with walls and roof made chiefly of Transparent ceramics, transparent material, such as glass, in which plants requiring regulated climatic condit ...

s, and is of interest, along with the related '' A. viviparum'', for the many small bulblets borne on the fronds that may grow into new plants. This characteristic is also shared with the eastern North American walking fern (''A. rhizophyllum'') and several Mexican species including '' A. palmeri''. The

ebony spleenwort ''Asplenium platyneuron'' (syn. ''Asplenium ebeneum''), commonly known as ebony spleenwort or brownstem spleenwort, is a fern native to North America east of the Rocky Mountains. It takes its common name from its dark, reddish-brown, glossy sti ...

''A. platyneuron'' is also sometimes sold in nurseries as a hardy plant. However, many spleenworts are epipetric or

epiphytic An epiphyte is an organism that grows on the surface of a plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, water (in marine environments) or from debris accumulating around it. The plants on which epiphytes grow are called phoroph ...

and difficult to cultivate. ''Asplenium'' species are used as food plants by the

larva A larva (; plural larvae ) is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle. The ...

e of some

Lepidoptera Lepidoptera ( ) is an order (biology), order of insects that includes butterfly, butterflies and moths (both are called lepidopterans). About 180,000 species of the Lepidoptera are described, in 126 Family (biology), families and 46 Taxonomic r ...

species including '' Batrachedra bedelliella'' which feeds exclusively on ''A. nidus''. For diseases of ''Asplenium'', see List of foliage plant diseases (Polypodiaceae).

Selected species

* ''

Asplenium adiantum-nigrum ''Asplenium adiantum-nigrum'' is a common species of fern known by the common name black spleenwort. It is found mostly in Africa, Europe, and Eurasia, but is also native to a few locales in Mexico and the United States. Description This splee ...

'' L. –

black spleenwort ''Asplenium adiantum-nigrum'' is a common species of fern known by the common name black spleenwort. It is found mostly in Africa, Europe, and Eurasia, but is also native to a few locales in Mexico and the United States. Description This spleen ...

(= ''A. lucidum'' Burm.f.) ** ''Asplenium adiantum-nigrum'' ssp. ''adiantum-nigrum'' ** ''Asplenium adiantum-nigrum'' ssp. ''serpentini'' (Tausch) Koch * '' Asplenium adulterinum'' Milde – ladder spleenwort * ''

Asplenium aequibasis ''Asplenium aequibasis'' is a species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae. It is found in Tristan da Cunha. Its natural habitat is subantarctic shrubland Shrubland, scrubland, scrub, brush, or bush is a plant community characterized by veg ...

'' * '' Asplenium aethiopicum'' * '' Asplenium africanum'' * ''

Asplenium × alternifolium ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a differe ...

'' Wulf. * ''

Asplenium anceps ''Asplenium anceps'' is a diploid fern of family Aspleniaceae and one of the ancestors of the ferns that form the trichomanes complex. It lives exclusively in the three northernmost archipelagoes of the Macaronesian region, that is, is an endemic ...

'' * '' Asplenium angustum'' Sw. * ''

Asplenium antiquum ''Asplenium antiquum'' is a fern of the group known as bird's-nest ferns. In Japanese it is known by ''ō-tani-watari '' and ''tani-watari''. Description ''Asplenium antiquum'' is an evergreen fern, 2–3 ft. (60–90 cm). It has b ...

'' Makino * '' Asplenium ascensionis'' S.Watson * ''

Asplenium attenuatum ''Asplenium attenuatum'' is a plant in the spleenwort group of ferns. The habitat is rocky shaded areas in rainforest, occasionally seen growing on trees. Two varieties are recognized are ''A. attenuatum'' var. ''attenuatum'', with the lower thi ...

'' R.Br. * '' Asplenium aureum'' (sometimes in ''Ceterach'') * '' Asplenium auritum'' * ''

Asplenium australasicum ''Asplenium australasicum'', the bird's nest fern or crow's nest fern, is an epiphytic Australasian species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae. Taxonomy ''Asplenium australasicum'' was originally described by English botanist John Smith in 1857 ...

'' (J.Sm.) Hook. –

crow's-nest fern ''Asplenium australasicum'', the bird's nest fern or crow's nest fern, is an epiphytic Australasian species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae. Taxonomy ''Asplenium australasicum'' was originally described by English botanist John Smith in 1857 ...

** ''Asplenium australasicum'' f. ''australasicum'' ** ''Asplenium australasicum'' f. ''robinsonii'' * ''

Asplenium azoricum ''Asplenium azoricum'' is a fern from hybrid origin of the family Aspleniaceae, descendant of the Macaronesian ancestral fern ''Asplenium anceps''. It lives exclusively in the Azores, that is a strict endemic Azorean fern. Its fronds are coriaceo ...

'' Lovis, Rasbach & Reichst. * '' Asplenium bifrons'' * '' Asplenium billottii'' – lanceolate spleenwort * ''

Asplenium bipinnatifidum ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a different ...

'' * ''

Asplenium brachycarpum ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a different ...

'' * ''

Asplenium bradleyi ''Asplenium bradleyi'', commonly known as Bradley's spleenwort or cliff spleenwort, is a rare epipetric fern of east-central North America. Named after Professor Frank Howe Bradley, who first collected it in Tennessee, it may be found infrequen ...

'' * ''

Asplenium bulbiferum ''Asplenium bulbiferum'', known as mother spleenwort, is a fern species native to New Zealand only. It is also called hen and chicken fern and, in the Māori language, pikopiko, mouku or mauku. Its fronds are eaten as a vegetable. It grows sma ...

'' –

, hen and chickens fern, ''mouku'' (

Māori Māori or Maori can refer to: Relating to the Māori people * Māori people of New Zealand, or members of that group * Māori language, the language of the Māori people of New Zealand * Māori culture * Cook Islanders, the Māori people of the C ...

) * ''

Asplenium carnarvonense ''Asplenium carnarvonense'' is a fern of the family Aspleniaceae native to Carnarvon Gorge in central Queensland. References carnarvonense Ferns of Australia Flora of Queensland Plants described in 1998 {{Polypodiales-stub ...

'' - Brownsey * '' Asplenium caudatum'' * '' Asplenium ceterach'' –

rustyback fern ''Asplenium ceterach'' (syn. ''Ceterach officinarum'') is a fern species commonly known as rustyback. Description It is characterised by a short rhizome which gives rise to several green fronds that have a pinnated lamina with trichomes on the ...

(sometimes in ''Ceterach'') * '' Asplenium chathamense'' Brownsey * '' Asplenium chihuahuense'' Baker * '' Asplenium compressum'' Sw. * ''

Asplenium congestum ''Asplenium congestum'' is a species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae. It is endemic to Ecuador. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by hab ...

'' * ''

Asplenium corderoanum ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a different ...

'' * ''

Asplenium crinicaule ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a different ...

'' * '' Asplenium cristatum'' * ''

Asplenium cuneifolium ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family (biology), family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider ''Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA seque ...

'' Viv. (= ''A. forsteri'' ''auct. non'' Sadl.) – serpentine spleenwort * '' Asplenium cymbifolium'' * '' Asplenium daghestanicum'' H.Christ – Dagestanian spleenwort * ''

Asplenium dalhousiae ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a different ...

'' (sometimes in ''Ceterach'') * '' Asplenium dareoides'' * '' Asplenium daucifolium'' –

Mauritius spleenwort ''Asplenium daucifolium'' (common name Mauritius spleenwort) is a species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae, endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, ...

* ''

Asplenium difforme ''Asplenium difforme'' is a plant in the spleenwort group of ferns. Its habitat is cracks in rocky headlands beside the sea. It is found in eastern Australia and Norfolk Island Norfolk Island (, ; Norfuk: ''Norf'k Ailen'') is an externa ...

'' R.Br. * '' Asplenium fissum'' * ''

Asplenium dimorphum ''Asplenium dimorphum'', the Norfolk Island spleenwort, is a species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae, endemic to Norfolk Island Norfolk Island (, ; Norfuk: ''Norf'k Ailen'') is an external territory of Australia located in the Pacif ...

'' –

Norfolk Island Spleenwort ''Asplenium dimorphum'', the Norfolk Island spleenwort, is a species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae, endemic to Norfolk Island Norfolk Island (, ; Norfuk: ''Norf'k Ailen'') is an external territory of Australia located in the Pacif ...

* ''

Asplenium divaricatum ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a different ...

'' * '' Asplenium dregeanum'' * ''

Asplenium × ebenoides ''Asplenium'' × ''ebenoides'' (Scott's spleenwort, dragon tail fern or walking spleenwort) is a hybrid fern native to eastern North America, part of the "Appalachian ''Asplenium'' complex" of related hybrids. The sterile offspring of the w ...

'' R.R.Scott * '' Asplenium ecuadorense'' Stolze * ''

Asplenium feei ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a different ...

'' Kunze ex Fée * '' Asplenium fissum'' * '' Asplenium flabellifolium'' – necklace fern * ''

Asplenium flaccidum ''Asplenium flaccidum'' is a species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae. The plant common name is drooping spleenwort or weeping spleenwort, and the species name ''flaccidum'' derives from the Latin root meaning ''drooping''. An example occurrenc ...

'' G.Forst. – weeping spleenwort, hanging spleenwort * '' Asplenium fontanum'' (L.) Bernh. – smooth rock spleenwort * '' Asplenium forisiense'' – rock spleenwort * '' Asplenium formosum'' * '' Asplenium gemmiferum'' Schrad. * ''

Asplenium × germanicum ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a differe ...

'' * ''

Asplenium gueinzii ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family (biology), family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider ''Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA seque ...

'' Mett. * '' Asplenium goudeyi'' Lord Howe Island *'' Asplenium haughtonii'' – Barn Fern * '' Asplenium hemionitis'' * ''

Asplenium hermannii-christii ''Asplenium hermannii-christii'', Hermann Christ's asplenium, is a species of spleenwort that is endemic to Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a st ...

'' Fomin – Hermann Christ's asplenium * ''

Asplenium hookerianum ''Asplenium hookerianum'', commonly known as Hooker's spleenwort, rocklax and maidenhair fern, is a small fern native to New Zealand and Australia. Description This small fern may be found two forms. The ''broad-pinnuled'' version's fronds ha ...

'' Colenso * '' Asplenium hybridum'' * '' Asplenium incisum'' * ''

Asplenium × jacksonii ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a differe ...

'' Alston – Jackson's spleenwort (sterile, triploid hybrid between ''

'' and ''

Asplenium scolopendrium ''Asplenium scolopendrium'', commonly known as the hart's-tongue fern, is an evergreen fern in the genus ''Asplenium'' native to the Northern Hemisphere. Description The most striking and unusual feature of the fern is its simple, undivided fron ...

'') * '' Asplenium × kenzoi'' - oni-hinokishida, cultivated in Japan * '' Asplenium komarovii'' - Akasawa * '' Asplenium laciniatum'' * '' Asplenium lamprophyllum'' Carse * '' Asplenium laserpitiifolium'' – Johnston River fern * '' Asplenium lepidum'' C.Presl * ''

Asplenium listeri ''Asplenium listeri'', commonly known as the Christmas Island spleenwort, is a species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae. It is endemism, endemic to Christmas Island, an Australian territory in the northeastern Indian Ocean. Its specific name (b ...

'' – Christmas Island spleenwort * ''

Asplenium longissimum ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family (biology), family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider ''Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA seque ...

'' * '' Asplenium lucidum'' * ''

Asplenium lunulatum ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a differ ...

'' – Hen-and-chicks * ''

Asplenium lyallii ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family (biology), family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider ''Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA seque ...

'' * ''

Asplenium macedonicum ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a differ ...

'' * '' Asplenium majoricum'' * ''

'' – sea spleenwort * ''

Asplenium × microdon ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a differe ...

'' T Moore – Moore's spleenwort (hybrid between ''Asplenium scolopendrium'' and ''Asplenium obovatum'' subsp ''lanceolatum'') * '' Asplenium milnei'' Carruth * ''

Asplenium montanum ''Asplenium montanum'', commonly known as the mountain spleenwort, is a small fern endemic to the eastern United States. It is found primarily in the Appalachian Mountains from Vermont to Alabama, with a few isolated populations in the Ozarks ...

'' – mountain spleenwort * '' Asplenium musifolium'' * ''

Asplenium nidus :''See bird's-nest fern for other plants with this common name.'' ''Asplenium nidus'' is an epiphytic species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae, native to tropical southeastern Asia, eastern Australia, Hawaii (''ʻēkaha'' in Hawaiian), Polynes ...

'' – bird's-nest fern * ''

Asplenium normale ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a different ...

'' * ''

Asplenium obliquum ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a differe ...

'' * ''

Asplenium oblongifolium ''Asplenium oblongifolium'' is a native species of fern from New Zealand. The plant's common name is shining spleenwort and its Māori name is huruhuruwhenua. ''A. oblongifolium'' is found on the North, South South is one of the cardinal dire ...

'' Colenso – shining spleenwort (= ''A. lucidum'' ''auct. non'' Burm.f., ''sensu'' G.Forst.) * '' Asplenium obovatum'' * '' Asplenium obtusatum'' G.Forst. ** ''Asplenium obtusatum'' ssp. ''northlandicum'' (Brownsey) Ogle (possibly distinct species) ** ''Asplenium obtusatum'' 'Chile' (possibly distinct species, sometimes included in ''A. obliquum'') * ''

Asplenium oligolepidum ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family (biology), family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider ''Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA seque ...

'' C.Chr. (= ''A. lucidum'' ''auct. non'' Burm.f., ''sensu'' G.Forst.) * ''

Asplenium oligophlebium ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family (biology), family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider ''Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA seque ...

'' * ''

Asplenium onopteris ''Asplenium onopteris'', known as the Irish spleenwort or western black spleenwort, is a species of fern mostly found throughout the Mediterranean Basin but also around the Eastern Atlantic. Description It is difficult to identify compared wit ...

'' L. – western black spleenwort, Irish spleenwort (sometimes included in ''A. adiantum-nigrum'') * ''

Asplenium pacificum ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family (biology), family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider ''Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA seque ...

'' * ''

Asplenium paleaceum ''Asplenium paleaceum'', the chaffy spleenwort, is a species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae. Found growing on rocks, usually along rainforest creek banks in Queensland, from the McIlwraith Range to about Maryborough, Queensland. Also known ...

'' R.Br. – chaffy spleenwort * ''

Asplenium palmeri ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a different ...

'' * '' Asplenium parvum'' * '' Asplenium petrarchae'' * '' Asplenium pinnatifidum'' – lobed spleenwort * '' Asplenium planicaule'' * '' Asplenium platybasis'' Kunze ex Mett. * ''

Asplenium platyneuron ''Asplenium platyneuron'' (syn. ''Asplenium ebeneum''), commonly known as ebony spleenwort or brownstem spleenwort, is a fern native to North America east of the Rocky Mountains. It takes its common name from its dark, reddish-brown, glossy sti ...

'' –

* ''

Asplenium polyodon ''Asplenium polyodon'', commonly known as sickle spleenwort, is a species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae. The distribution of ''A. polyodon'' includes parts of the countries of Australia and New Zealand. A specific locale of occurrence is in ...

'' G.Forst. – sickle spleenwort * '' Asplenium praemorsum'' * '' Asplenium prolongatum'' Hook. * '' Asplenium pteridoides'' Baker * '' Asplenium resiliens'' –

black-stemmed spleenwort ''Asplenium resiliens'', the blackstem spleenwort or little ebony spleenwort, is a species of fern native to the Western Hemisphere, ranging from the southern United States south to Uruguay, including parts of the Caribbean. Found on limestone s ...

* ''

Asplenium rhizophyllum ''Asplenium rhizophyllum'', the (American) walking fern, is a frequently-occurring fern native to North America. It is a close relative of '' Asplenium ruprechtii'' (syn: ''Camptosorus sibiricus'') which is found in East Asia and also goes by the ...

'' – American walking fern (sometimes in ''Camptosorus'') * ''

Asplenium richardii ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider ''Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a differen ...

'' * '' Asplenium ruprechtii'' – Asian walking fern (sometimes in ''Camptosorus'') * ''

Asplenium ruta-muraria ''Asplenium ruta-muraria'' is a species of fern commonly known as wall-rue (but which, as a fern, is not by any means closely related to common rue). It is a very small epipetric species, growing exclusively on limestone and other calcareous ro ...

'' L. – wall-rue * '' Asplenium rutifolium'' * '' Asplenium sagittatum'' – Mule's spleenwort (sometimes in ''Phyllitis'') * ''

Asplenium sandersonii ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family (biology), family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider ''Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA seque ...

'' Hook. * ''

Asplenium × sarniense ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family (biology), family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider ''Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA seque ...

'' Sleep Guernsey Spleenwort * '' Asplenium schizotrichum'' Copel. * '' Asplenium schweinfurthii'' * '' Asplenium scleroprium'' * ''

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hart's-tongue fern ''Asplenium scolopendrium'', commonly known as the hart's-tongue fern, is an evergreen fern in the genus ''Asplenium'' native to the Northern Hemisphere. Description The most striking and unusual feature of the fern is its simple, undivided fron ...

(sometimes in ''Phyllitis'') ** ''Asplenium scolopendrium'' var. ''americanum'' – American Hart's-tongue * '' Asplenium seelosii'' * ''

Asplenium septentrionale ''Asplenium septentrionale'' is a species of fern known by the common names northern spleenwort and forked spleenwort. It is native to Europe, Asia and western North America, where it grows on rocks. Its long, slender leaves give it a distinctive ...

'' – forked spleenwort, northern spleenwort * '' Asplenium septentrionale × trichomanes'' Wulf. * '' Asplenium serra'' * '' Asplenium serratum'' –

wild bird's-nest fern ''Asplenium serratum'', the bird's nest spleenwort, wild birdnest fern, or New World birdnest fern, is a fern of the New World/Americas. Distribution The fern is native to tropical Brazil, the Caribbean, and Florida of the Southeastern United S ...

* ''

Asplenium sessilifolium ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a differ ...

'' * '' Asplenium shuttleworthianum'' Kunze * '' Asplenium simplicifrons'' F.Muell. * '' Asplenium splendens'' * '' Asplenium surrogatum'' P.S.Green * ''

Asplenium tenerum ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a differe ...

'' G.Forst. * '' Asplenium terrestre'' * '' Asplenium theciferum'' (Kunth) Mett. * '' Asplenium thunbergii'' * ''

Asplenium trichomanes ''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 subs ...

'' – maidenhair spleenwort ** ''Asplenium trichomanes'' ssp. ''quadrivalens'' D.E. Meyer ** ''Asplenium trichomanes'' ssp. ''trichomanes'' ** ''Asplenium trichomanes'' subsp. ''coriaceifolium'' * '' Asplenium tutwilerae'' B.R.Keener & L.J.Davenport * ''

Asplenium vespertinum ''Asplenium vespertinum'' is a species of fern known by the common name western spleenwort. It is native to southern California and Baja California, where it grows in moist, shady, rocky places, such as the shadows beneath cliff overhangs. The l ...

'' * '' Asplenium vieillardii'' Mett. * ''

Asplenium virens ''Asplenium virens'' is a species of fern in the family Aspleniaceae. It is Endemism, endemic to Ecuador, where it is found in coastal forests. This habitat is habitat fragmentation, fragmented and degraded, and habitat loss is the main threat to ...

'' * ''

Asplenium viride ''Asplenium viride'' is a species of fern known as the green spleenwort because of its green stipes and rachides. This feature easily distinguishes it from the very similar-looking maidenhair spleenwort, ''Asplenium trichomanes''. Taxonomy Gr ...

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green spleenwort ''Asplenium viride'' is a species of fern known as the green spleenwort because of its green stipes and rachides. This feature easily distinguishes it from the very similar-looking maidenhair spleenwort, ''Asplenium trichomanes''. Taxonomy Gre ...

* ''

Asplenium vittiforme ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a different ...

'' * ''

Asplenium viviparum ''Asplenium'' is a genus of about 700 species of ferns, often treated as the only genus in the family Aspleniaceae, though other authors consider '' Hymenasplenium'' separate, based on molecular phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, a differ ...

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5347305 Epiphytes Fern genera Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus

Taxonomy and genetics

Uses

Selected species

See also

References