Maidenhair fern is a green plant suitable for growing indoors
Maidenhair fern, of the family Adiantaceae, is a perennial herb, 0.1-0.6 m tall. Because its stems are slender and resemble iron wire in color, it is named maidenhair fern. Maidenhair fern is also an indicator of calcareous soil. Because it fears dryness and strong light, it must be placed in a spot without direct sunlight for care.
Widely distributed in Taiwan, China, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei and other places, it often grows on limestone beside flowing streams or on limestone cave floors and dripping rock walls. It is an indicator plant of calcareous soil, at an altitude of 100-2800 m.
Maidenhair fern
Common ornamental foliage species in the same genus include:
Fan-leaved maidenhair fern: leaves fan-shaped to irregularly broad-ovate, with 2-3 rounds of palmate branching to pedate dichotomous branching; the central pinna is the largest, and the pinnules have short stalks.
Whiplash maidenhair fern: also called bristle maidenhair fern, leaves linear-lanceolate, about 10-25 cm long, the apex often extended into a whip shape, rooting when touching the ground. Leaf blades rectangular, once pinnate or twice torn, the upper margin and outer margin often deeply cleft into narrow lobes, the lower margin straight and entire.
Wedge-leaved maidenhair fern: leaves broadly triangular, 2-4 times pinnately divided, the lobes rhombic or oblong.
Form:
The laciniate maidenhair fern differs from the original form mainly by the apex of the ultimate pinnules being deeply cleft into some linear lobes.
Maidenhair fern
Medicinal value:
Whole plant (pig bristle grass): bland, bitter, cool. Clears heat and detoxifies, drains dampness and reduces swelling, promotes urination and treats strangury. Used for dysentery, scrofula, cough due to lung heat, hepatitis, strangury, venomous snake bites, and traumatic injuries.
Maidenhair fern
Horticultural value:
Shade-loving, highly adaptable, easy to cultivate, suitable for year-round potted indoor ornamental display. Small pots can be placed on a desk or coffee table; larger pots can be used to decorate the windowsill, passageway or living room of a shaded room. Maidenhair fern leaves are also good cut-leaf material and dried-flower material.