Ferns 2026

Maidenhair Spleenwort

Maidenhair Spleenworts (Asplenium trichomanes) are beautiful ferns that grow on moist & shady rock faces throughout our area. They remain green through the winter and are one of my favorite ferns in any season. Cobb (Field Guide to the Ferns,1963) describes them as the "Daintiest and one of our prettiest ferns". Wherry (Guide to Eastern Ferns, 1948) describes them as "One of our most beautiful ferns, forming charming rosettes against rock surfaces." They are found throughout the Northeast and eastern U.S. Under the right conditions, they can be found growing in large numbers,

They are somewhat similar in appearance to Ebony Spleenworts (Asplenium platyneuron) and overlap in range quite a bit, but are almost never found growing together. Maidenhair Spleenwort pinnae (leaflets) are oval in shape, while the Ebony Spleenwort pinnae are oblong with a blunt pointed tip and are "eared" like the leaflets of Christmas Ferns.

You will get a chance to see a lot of these lovely Maidenhair Spleenwort ferns on our Fern Walk this Saturday, July11th (9:30-11am) at Barton Cove in Gill. See calendar for details.

Posted: to PV Fern News on Thu, Jul 9, 2026
Updated: Thu, Jul 9, 2026