wall-rue

Asplenium ruta-muraria

Wall-rue is a special little fern that loves to grow on walls and rocks. Its bright green leaves are shaped like tiny feathers, making it look very pretty in nature.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The wall-rue is a small, hardy fern with delicate, triangular fronds composed of wedge-shaped leaflets. Its glossy, dark green leaves often form neat rosettes, tightly clinging to stone surfaces.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassPolypodiopsidaOrderPolypodialesFamilyAspleniaceaeGenusAsplenium

wall-rue

Interesting facts

It's an 'epilithic' plant, meaning it absolutely loves growing on rocks and stone surfaces!

Its scientific name, Asplenium, means 'without spleen' – ancient healers thought it cured spleen ailments!

This tiny fern can actually live for many decades, stubbornly clinging to its rocky home!

Wall-rue doesn't use seeds! It reproduces with microscopic spores, like a secret agent's tiny dust bombs.

Special abilities

wall-rue can grow its roots deep into tiny rock crevices, which helps it cling tightly to walls and survive in harsh, exposed spots.

wall-rue has fronds that can curl up and dry out completely, helping it survive long periods without water by waiting for rain.

wall-rue releases tiny, dust-like spores that float on the wind, helping it travel far and colonize new, inaccessible rocky habitats.

Measurements & details

Height: 5-15 cm
Spread: 5-15 cm
Edible: No
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial

Ecological connections

eaten by

Black slug

Arion ater

Common slug that grazes on its fronds

eaten by

Garden snail

Cornu aspersum

Garden snail feeds on its tender leaves

depends on

Blackbird

Turdus merula

Hunts snails that graze its fronds

Traits

Ornamental

Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.