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Southern maidenhair fern

How to identify Southern maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris)

Southern maidenhair fern, also known as Venus maidenhair fern, Black maidenhair fern, Venus' hair fern

Southern maidenhair fern displays a delicate, graceful appearance with its membranous, decompound fronds that lie in a single flat plane. Each frond comprises wiry, black stipes and rachises that contrast sharply with the bright green, triangular pinnules which are neatly lobed and line the frond in the same plane. The pinnules feature unique marginal sori, each protected by a small, curled flap of leaf tissue. This distinctive arrangement of spores contributes to southern maidenhair fern's identifiable characteristics, making it a fascinating specimen for enthusiasts.

Lifespan

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type

Plant Type: Fern

Leaf Type

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Southern maidenhair fern

1

Delicate, decompound fronds in a single plane

2

Bright green, lobed pinnules with unique marginal sori

3

Shiny black or purple-tinted wiry stipe

4

Bipinnate or tripinnate leaves with fan-shaped segments

5

Membranous texture with weakly glaucous undersides

Southern maidenhair fernSouthern maidenhair fernSouthern maidenhair fernSouthern maidenhair fernSouthern maidenhair fern

Detailed Traits of Southern maidenhair fern

Leaf Features

The leaves of southern maidenhair fern are delicate, bright green fronds that are bipinnate to tripinnate. They exhibit an arching or pendent form with 3 to 6 pairs of pinnae. The segments are fan-shaped, measuring about 0.25 to 0.75 inches (0.6 to 1.9 cm) in length. The undersides are weakly glaucous and have a membranous texture. Pinnae are often decompound and flabellately branched with somewhat triangular, broadly cuneate, deeply cut lobed pinnules. The wiry stipe is shiny black or tinged purple.

Leaf Base

Cuneate

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Key Facts About Southern maidenhair fern

Attributes of Southern maidenhair fern
Lifespan
Perennial
Plant Type
Fern
Plant Height
15 cm to 30 cm
Spread
30 cm to 45 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Yellow
Gold
Fruit Color
Gray
Stem Color
Green
Purple
Brown
Black
Leaf type
Deciduous
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Scientific Classification of Southern maidenhair fern

Class
Ferns
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Family
Brake
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Species
Southern maidenhair fern (Adiantum capillus-veneris)
Learn More About the Southern maidenhair fern

Distribution Map of Southern maidenhair fern

Southern maidenhair fern is native to a wide range of environments across the subtropical and tropical regions, as well as temperate zones globally. It is indigenous to parts of Africa, Asia, Europe, Australasia, and the Americas, specifically thriving in areas with a Mediterranean climate. Beyond its natural range, southern maidenhair fern has been introduced to a selection of temperate zones. The plant is also cultivated, extending its presence beyond its original distribution.
Native
Cultivated
Invasive
Potentially invasive
Exotic
No species reported
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