ebony spleenwort
ExplorePlants
ebony spleenwort
Asplenium platyneuron
The ebony spleenwort is a small, delicate fern that loves to grow in shady spots. Its dark green leaves are shaped like feathers, making it look very pretty in nature.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The ebony spleenwort has distinctive dark, purplish-brown stems, resembling polished ebony, contrasting sharply with its narrow, bright green fronds. Its pinnae (leaflets) are alternate near the base and opposite higher up, giving it a ladder-like appearance.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPolypodiopsidaOrderPolypodialesFamilyAspleniaceaeGenusAsplenium
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Instead of seeds, this fern reproduces using microscopic spores that float on the wind.
Its unusual name, "spleenwort," hints at ancient medicinal beliefs about the plant.
The lower part of its stem is so dark and shiny, it looks like polished ebony wood!
This tough fern can even grow on old brick walls or mossy rocks!
Special abilities
Ability
Resilient Root Anchor
Ebony spleenwort can grip onto tiny rock crevices, allowing it to thrive where most plants cannot find soil.
Ability
Wind-Borne Travelers
Ebony spleenwort releases tiny spores that are carried by the wind, helping it spread to new, often distant habitats.
Ability
Winter Greenery
The ebony spleenwort often keeps its green fronds through winter, allowing it to photosynthesize when other plants are dormant.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 10-30 cm
- Spread
- 10-25 cm
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
Ecological connections
eaten by
White-tailed Deer
Odocoileus virginianus
Occasionally browsed by deer, though not a primary food source.
symbiotic with
Creeping Feather Moss
Amblystegium serpens
Often grows alongside mosses on rocks, sharing moisture and habitat.
shelters
Silky Ant
Formica subsericea
Ants might find shelter among its dense fronds and rocky crevices.
Traits
Feathered
Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Evergreen
Evergreen plants retain their foliage throughout the year, never shedding all their leaves at once.
Spore Producing
Spore-producing organisms reproduce by releasing small, often single-celled, reproductive units called spores.
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
Do not touch plants without asking an adult, as some may not be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is ebony spleenwort?
10-30 cm
How wide does ebony spleenwort spread?
10-25 cm
Is ebony spleenwort edible?
No
Is ebony spleenwort toxic?
None
What is ebony spleenwort's lifecycle?
Perennial
Where is ebony spleenwort usually found?
Forests
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