Western maidenhair fern facts for kids

Quick facts for kidsWestern maidenhair fern
	Western maidenhair (Adiantum aleuticum)
Conservation status
	; Secure (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Genus:	Adiantum
Species:	aleuticum
Subspecies
	Adiantum aleuticum subsp. aleuticum; Adiantum aleuticum subsp. subpumilum (W.H.Wagner) Lellinger;
Synonyms
	Adiantum pedatum L. subsp. aleuticum (Rupr.) Piper & Beattie; Adiantum pedatum L. subsp. aleuticum (Rupr.) Calder & Roy L.Taylor, nom. illeg. superfl.; Adiantum pedatum L. var. aleuticum Rupr.; Adiantum pedatum L. subsp. calderi Cody; Adiantum pedatum L. var. praeflexum Copel. ex C.F.Baker, nom. nud.; Adiantum pedatum L. var. rangiferinum E.S.Burgess;

Adiantum aleuticum, the western maidenhair fern or Aleutian maidenhair, is a species of deciduous fern in the genus Adiantum.

Description

A. aleuticum typically grows about 18-30 inches tall and wide. The fronds grow 6–10 in (15–25 cm) tall, and are fan-shaped, light to medium green with dark brown to black stems. Oblong sori (masses of spores) are found on the edges of the upper lobes of the leaflets, covered by false indusia (inrolled leaf edges).

subsp. calderi

Taxonomy

Formerly classified as A. pedatum var. aleuticum, it was shown to be a separate species in 1991.

Other common names include serpentine maidenhair and five-fingered fern.

Distribution and habitat

Adiantum aleuticum is native mainly to western North America from the Aleutian Islands of Alaska, south to Chihuahua, and also locally in northeastern North America from Newfoundland south to Vermont.

It prefers fertile, moist soil in rock crevices near streams, from sea level in the north of its range, up to 3,200 m altitude in the south of its range. It tolerates serpentinite rock well, and is confined to this mineral-rich rock in some areas.

Cultivation

The species and its cultivar 'Subpumilum' have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Though hardy they may also be grown as houseplants. They prefer low to medium light, and will grow in moist potting mix. They may prove difficult to keep alive in dry climates.

Etymology

Adiantum is derived from Greek and means 'unwetted'. This name is in reference to the fact that its leaves do not become saturated, even when they are submerged in water. In the US, they are suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3-8.

Aleuticum means 'from the Aleutian Islands'.

Cultivars

Cultivars include:

'Japonicum'
'Imbricatum'
'Subpumilum'