What is the flower language of the maidenhair fern? A detailed explanation of its meanings and symbolism
The maidenhair fern is also known as wire grass, iron-wire grass, water pig bristle soil, and so on. Its black leaf stalks are slender and glossy, much like human hair, and its texture is very soft and graceful, like a young girl's soft hair, so it is also called "a maiden's tresses". Now let us take a look at what the flower language of the maidenhair fern is!
The flower language of the maidenhair fern
Elegance, a maiden's delicacy and tenderness.
Types of maidenhair fern
1. Fan-leaved maidenhair fern (Adiantum flabellulatum): The fan-leaved maidenhair fern plant is 20-45 cm tall, with a short, upright rhizome densely covered with brown, glossy, awl-shaped lanceolate scales. The leaves are clustered, the veins branch dichotomously many times, and the leaves are nearly leathery when dry, green or often brown, hairless on both sides. There are 2-5 sori per pinna, borne horizontally on the upper and outer margins of the lobes, separated by notches. The indusium is semicircular or oblong, with a straight upper margin, leathery, brownish-black, entire, and persistent. The spores have indistinct granular ornamentation.
2. Whip-leaved maidenhair fern (Adiantum caudatum): The whip-leaved maidenhair fern is also called the bristle maidenhair fern. Its leaves are linear-lanceolate, about 10-25 cm long, with the apex often prolonged into a whip-like form that roots when it touches the ground. The leaf blade is rectangular, once-pinnate or twice-torn, with the upper and outer margins often deeply divided into narrow lobes, and the lower margin straight and entire. The sori are borne beneath the indusium formed by the modified, reflexed top of the lobes. The indusium is kidney-shaped to roundly cup-shaped, slightly hairy.
3. Lotus-leaf maidenhair fern (Adiantum reniforme): The lotus-leaf maidenhair fern is also called lotus-leaf coin grass, wire grass, iron-wire grass, and so on. It is 5-20 cm tall, with a short, upright rhizome. The leaves are elliptic-reniform, 2-6 cm wide, dark green above, smooth and with 1-3 concentric rings, sparsely covered with brown long soft hairs beneath, and the leaf margin has rounded serrations. The leaf margin of fertile leaves rolls back to form a false indusium. The sori are oblong or short-linear, borne on the leaf margin.
Uses of the maidenhair fern
1. The maidenhair fern is not only highly ornamental, but the whole plant can also be used as medicine. It can treat influenza, colds, coughs, hepatitis, dysentery, low back pain, urethral stones, breast pain, tuberculosis-related strain injuries, bruises, burns and scalds, snake bites, boils and other conditions.
2. The pale green, thin-textured leaves of the maidenhair fern, paired with its pitch-black, glossy leaf stalks, are especially elegant and graceful. It is suitable for year-round indoor potted display. A small pot of maidenhair fern can be placed on a desk or coffee table, while a larger pot can be used to decorate the windowsill, hallway or living room of a shaded room, providing people with enjoyment for a relatively long period.
3. The leaves of the maidenhair fern are also good material for cut foliage and dried flowers, and can also be cut and placed in a vase to be enjoyed together with fresh flowers.
4. The maidenhair fern can purify indoor air, absorb harmful gases, and also help people relax, helping to improve sleep quality. Therefore, people who deal with paint and coatings all day long, or who have people around them who like to smoke, should keep at least one pot of fern plants.
5. Bathrooms have high humidity and heavy stale air, and green plants can absorb humidity and stale air. Therefore, placing a pot of maidenhair fern in the bathroom helps remove dampness and drive away stale air.