black maidenhair fern
ExplorePlants
black maidenhair fern
Adiantum capillus-veneris
The black maidenhair fern is a delicate plant with beautiful, fan-shaped leaves. It loves to grow in shady, moist places and adds a touch of green to gardens and forests.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The black maidenhair fern has delicate, fan-shaped leaflets that are bright green, creating a soft, lacy appearance. Its most distinctive feature is the striking, thin, jet-black stems that beautifully contrast with the vibrant foliage. This combination gives it an elegant and airy look.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPolypodiopsidaOrderPolypodialesFamilyPteridaceaeGenusAdiantum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It reproduces by releasing super tiny spores, not seeds or flowers, like an ancient plant!
Its scientific name, 'capillus-veneris,' means 'Venus's hair' in Latin!
Some traditional cultures once believed it could make hair grow long and shiny!
This delicate fern can sometimes be found growing upside-down on wet cliff faces!
Special abilities
Ability
Spore Scatterer
Black maidenhair fern can release millions of tiny spores from its fronds to create new plants without needing seeds or flowers.
Ability
Underground Spreader
This fern has creeping rhizomes, which are underground stems that help it spread horizontally and form new plant colonies.
Ability
Water-Repellent Fronds
The black maidenhair fern has unique fronds with a special coating that helps them shed water easily, preventing rot.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 15-40 cm
- Spread
- 20-50 cm
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Ecological connections
eaten by
Black slug
Arion ater
Slug may graze on young fronds.
eaten by
Garden snail
Helix aspersa
Snail may feed on tender fern leaves.
symbiotic with
Mycorrhizal fungus
Glomus microcarpum
Helps fern absorb water and nutrients.
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Broadleaf Tree
Broadleaf trees are angiosperms characterized by flat, wide leaves that are typically shed annually in temperate climates.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Medicinal
Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch plants unless you know they're safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is black maidenhair fern?
15-40 cm
How wide does black maidenhair fern spread?
20-50 cm
Is black maidenhair fern edible?
No
Is black maidenhair fern toxic?
None
What is black maidenhair fern's lifecycle?
Perennial
Where is black maidenhair fern usually found?
Forests
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