Western maidenhair fern facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western maidenhair fern |
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| Western maidenhair (Adiantum aleuticum) | |
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Adiantum
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| Species: |
aleuticum
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The Adiantum aleuticum, also known as the western maidenhair fern or Aleutian maidenhair, is a type of fern. It is a deciduous plant, meaning its leaves fall off in the colder months. This fern belongs to the Adiantum group.
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What Does the Western Maidenhair Fern Look Like?
This fern usually grows to be about 18 to 30 inches (45-76 cm) tall and wide. Its leaves, called fronds, are shaped like a fan. They are light to medium green. The stems are dark brown or black.
You can find oblong (oval-shaped) sori on the edges of the upper parts of the leaflets. Sori are groups of spores, which are like tiny seeds that help the fern reproduce. These sori are covered by a false indusium, which is a rolled-up edge of the leaf.
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A type of A. aleuticum called subsp. calderi
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Naming and History of the Western Maidenhair Fern
This fern was once thought to be a variety of another fern, A. pedatum. However, in 1991, scientists discovered it was its own separate species.
Other common names for this plant include serpentine maidenhair and five-fingered fern.
Where Does the Western Maidenhair Fern Grow?
Adiantum aleuticum is native to western North America. It grows from the Aleutian Islands in Alaska all the way south to Chihuahua, Mexico. You can also find it in some parts of northeastern North America, from Newfoundland down to Vermont.
This fern likes rich, wet soil found in rock cracks near streams. In the northern areas where it grows, it can be found at sea level. In the southern parts, it can grow at altitudes up to 3,200 meters (about 10,500 feet). It grows well in serpentinite rock, which is a type of mineral-rich rock. In some places, it only grows on this kind of rock.
Growing Western Maidenhair Ferns
The western maidenhair fern is a popular plant for gardens. A special type of this fern, called 'Subpumilum', has won an award for being a great garden plant.
Even though it is a hardy outdoor plant, you can also grow it indoors as a houseplant. These ferns prefer low to medium light. They need moist potting soil to grow well. It can be tricky to keep them alive in very dry places.
Meaning Behind the Name
The name Adiantum comes from the Greek word meaning 'unwetted'. This is because the fern's leaves do not get wet, even when they are underwater. In the United States, these ferns can grow in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 8. This means they can handle cold temperatures in those areas.
The word Aleuticum means 'from the Aleutian Islands'. This tells us where the fern was first discovered or is commonly found.
Types of Western Maidenhair Ferns
Here are some different types, or cultivars, of the western maidenhair fern:
- 'Japonicum'
- 'Imbricatum'
- 'Subpumilum'
See also
In Spanish: Helecho de cinco dedos para niños
