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Adiantum hispidulum
Sw.
Rough Maidenhair Fern
Pteridaceae
Adiantum hispidulum is a species of fern in the family Pteridaceae. It has a paleotropical distribution, and has escaped cultivated in North America.
Description
Adiantum hispidulum grows up to 40 cm tall. Fronds are clustered, roughly circular to ovate, with dark brown stalks that are 20 cm long and densely hairy. Fronds are pedate, 18 cm long and 10 cm wide. They have several branches radiating outwards from the stalk. The branches are linear in outline, 16 cm long, with outer branches being shorter. Each branch has about 30 alternate subleaflets that are 8 mm long and 4 to 5 mm wide. The subleaflets are asymmetrical, rectangular or fan-shaped, and are slightly smaller near the base or the tips. Veins have a dichotomous structure. Each subleaflet has 4 to 12 round sori (Wu et al. 2013). It can be identified by its fronds, that diverge at 45° angles, with dark hairs on stalks and lighter hairs on the leaf blade (Palmer 2008).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Adiantum hispidulum often grown as an ornamental, preferring acidic and moist soils in the shade. It grows in USDA zones 8 to 10 (MBG).
Distribution
Adiantum hispidulum grows on rocks on slopes. In Taiwan it grows at altitudes of 300 to 500 m (Wu et al. 2013), and in Hawaii where it is naturalized it grows at altitudes of 90 to 1825 m (Palmer 45). It is a paleotropical species, growing in tropical regions in Africa, Asia, Australasia, and the Pacific Islands (Wu et al. 2013). It has escaped locally in the United States (Kartesz 2015).
Status
References
Kartesz, J. T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2015. North American Plant Atlas. (http://bonap.net/napa). Chapel Hill, N.C. [maps generated from Kartesz, J.T. 2015. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP). (in press)].
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Adiantum hispidulum. Plant Finder. [accessed 2019 Jun 12]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=285702&isprofile=0&
Palmer, D. D. 2008. Hawaiʹi's Ferns and Fern Allies. University of Hawaiʹi Press.
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.
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Adiantum hispidulum. Plant Finder. [accessed 2019 Jun 12]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=285702&isprofile=0&
Palmer, D. D. 2008. Hawaiʹi's Ferns and Fern Allies. University of Hawaiʹi Press.
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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