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Adiantum pedatum
L.
Five-fingered Fern
Pteridaceae
Adiantum pedatum is a species of fern in the family Pteridaceae. It is native to eastern North America, and northeastern Asia, and is widely cultivated elsewhere. Several species are similar to it and have at one point been considered part of the species, forming a large complex. These include A. myriosorum, which is native to the Himalayas and Taiwan; A. aleuticum, which is native to western North America and a bit of the northeast United States/southeastern Canada; and A. viridimontanum which is native to eastern North America (Lu et al. 2011).
Description
Adiantum pedatum grows up to 60 cm tall. Fronds are clustered, roughly circular in outline, with brown stalks that are 20 to 40 cm long. Fronds are pedate, 30 cm long and 40 cm wide. They have 4 to 6 branches radiating outwards from the stalk. The branches are 28 cm long and about 3 cm wide, with outer branches being shorter. Each branch has about 20 to 30 alternate subleaflets on 1.5 to 2.5 cm long stalks. The subleaflets 2 cm long, 0.6 cm wide, and are asymmetrical. They are fan-shaped or wedge-shaped, and they are slightly smaller near the base or the tips. Veins have a dichotomous structure. Each subleaflet has 4 to 6 sori (Wu et al. 2013).
Uses
Note: Please see the disclaimer regarding any information about medical or edible uses.
Adiantum pedatum and related species are often grown as ornamentals, preferring acidic and moist soils in the shade. It grows in USDA zones 3 to 8 (MBG). It is used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of problems (Quattrocchi 2012).
Distribution
Adiantum pedatum grows alongside streams in forests at altitudes of 300 to 3500 m. It is native to eastern North America, the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia, Japan, and northeastern China (Lu et al. 2011).
Status
References
MBG (Missouri Botanical Garden), Adiantum pedatum. Plant Finder. [accessed 2019 Jun 12]. http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?kempercode=j200
Lu, J.-M., Li, D.-Z., Lutz, S., Soejima, A., Yi, T., and Wen, J. 2011. Biogeographic disjunction between eastern Asia and North America in the Adiantum pedatum complex (Pteridaceae). American Journal of Botany 98: 1680–1693.
Quattrocchi, U. 2012. CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology. Boca Raton, FL: CRC 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.
Lu, J.-M., Li, D.-Z., Lutz, S., Soejima, A., Yi, T., and Wen, J. 2011. Biogeographic disjunction between eastern Asia and North America in the Adiantum pedatum complex (Pteridaceae). American Journal of Botany 98: 1680–1693.
Quattrocchi, U. 2012. CRC World Dictionary of Medicinal and Poisonous Plants Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology. Boca Raton, FL: CRC 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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