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Adiantum capillus-veneris
L.
Southern Maidenhair Fern
Pteridaceae
Adiantum capillus-veneris is a species of fern in the family Pteridaceae. It is widely distributed across all continents except Antarctica, and is common as an ornamental plant.
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Description
Adiantum capillus-veneris is a fern growing on rocks or in soil, growing up to 40 cm tall. It spreads via rhizomes; rhizomes are densely covered in small, brown, lanceolate scales. Fronds are once- to twice-pinnate (generally the lower pinnae are divided again). The stipe is dark brown to black, glabrous (not covered with hairs), 3 to 20 cm long; rachises, costae, and stalks are also dark brown to black, glabrous, and somewhat zigzagged. The lamina of the frond is roughly ovate-triangular in outline, 6 to 25 cm long and 8 to 16 cm wide, glabrous. Pinnae are divided into alternating segments, with usually 2 to 4 segments at the tip and some more off lateral branches. The ultimate segments of the fronds are green but with the black color of the stalks bleeding in; the outline is fan-shaped, with the upper margin rounded, sometimes with 2 to 4 notches or lobes, or even divided into narrow linear segments. Fertile segments differ from sterile segments in that part of the apical leaf surface is folded under, forming a false indusium, carrying the sori. Fertile segments typically have 3 to 10 false indusia, which are yellowish green becoming brown, reniform (kidney-shaped) in outline (Wu et al. 2013).
Adiantum as a genus is easily recognized in having these false indusia that carry sporangia (FNAEC 1993).
Adiantum as a genus is easily recognized in having these false indusia that carry sporangia (FNAEC 1993).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Adiantum capillus-veneris is very common in horticulture (Lansdown and Bilz 2018). It prefers moist, neutral to alkaline soils with shade. It grows in USDA zones 5 to 8 (MBG), or can be grown as a houseplant. Across its range, it has been widely used as a medicinal plant. Fronds and rhizomes have been used for a variety of ailments, including coughs, cold, dandruff, and fever (Al-Snafi 2015).
Adiantum capillus-veneris has been used as a model organism, particularly to study photobiology and photobiological phenomena such as phototropism and chloroplast movement (Petlewski and Li 2019).
Adiantum capillus-veneris has been used as a model organism, particularly to study photobiology and photobiological phenomena such as phototropism and chloroplast movement (Petlewski and Li 2019).
Distribution
Adiantum capillus-veneris prefers calcareous soil and is often found on limestone, banks of streams and rivers (Wu et al. 2019), but being nearly cosmopolitan, it grows in a variety of habitats regionally, such as canyon cliffs in the American Southwest, schists and rhyolite in the Mediterranean, and the mortar of old walls throughout its range. It can grow up to an elevation of 3000 m. Its native range covers the Americas from the United States (and a disjunct population in Canada) to Peru, southern and western Europe, Macaronesia, Africa including Madagascar, tropical and temperate Asia and Australia (FNAEC 1993; Lansdown and Bilz 2018). It is introduced to New Zealand, Belgium, and the Netherlands (Lansdown and Bilz 2018).
Status
As a widespread and common species without any threats known, Adiantum capillus-veneris is listed on the IUCN Red List as “Least Concern” (Lansdown and Bilz 2018).
References
Al-Snafi, A. E. 2015. The Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects of Adiantum capillus-veneris - A Review. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Science & Technology, 5: 106–111.
FNAEC (Flora of North America Editorial Committee), editor. 1993. Flora of North America, north of Mexico. Volume 2: Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. New York: Oxford University Press.
Lansdown, R. V., and Bilz, M. 2018. Adiantum capillus-veneris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T164082A67770327.en.
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Adiantum capillus-veneris. Plant Finder. [accessed 2022 Jul 19]. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=285802
Petlewski, A. R., and Li, F.-W. 2019. Ferns: The final frond-tier in plant model systems. American Fern Journal, 109: 192–211.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2013. Flora of China. Vol. 2-3 (Lycopodiaceae through Polypodiaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
FNAEC (Flora of North America Editorial Committee), editor. 1993. Flora of North America, north of Mexico. Volume 2: Pteridophytes and Gymnosperms. New York: Oxford University Press.
Lansdown, R. V., and Bilz, M. 2018. Adiantum capillus-veneris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T164082A67770327.en.
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Adiantum capillus-veneris. Plant Finder. [accessed 2022 Jul 19]. https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=285802
Petlewski, A. R., and Li, F.-W. 2019. Ferns: The final frond-tier in plant model systems. American Fern Journal, 109: 192–211.
Wu, Z. Y., Raven, P. H., and Hong, D. Y., eds. 2013. Flora of China. Vol. 2-3 (Lycopodiaceae through Polypodiaceae). Beijing: Science Press, and St. Louis: Missouri Botanical Garden Press.
Description
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