Adiantum silvaticum

Location & distribution maps

Phylogeny & links to associated information

Wikipedia links:       Monilophytes > Polypodiales > Pteridaceae > Adiantum silvaticum

Other links:     https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Adiantum~silvaticum

Related species:   A aethiopicum   A formosum    A hispidulum   A silvaticum

Plant  information

Common name:         Rough Maidenhair  

• Also, Forest Maidenhair Fern

Conservation status: Not at risk

Etymology:   

• Genus name is from Greek, meaning "unwetted", referring to the fronds' ability to shed water without becoming wet

• Its species name is rom the Latin sylvaticus (of woodlands), a reference to the forest habitat of this species

Spores:                            

• Sori mostly 2–5 per segment

Leaves:         

• Fronds to 80 cm high

• Mostly 3-pinnate

• Ultimate segments asymmetric at base, terminal primary pinnae as long as the basal ones; 

• Segments mostly 8–20 mm long, dark green

• Stipe dull reddish brown to black, main rachis somewhat zigzag

Stem & branches: 

• Rhizome long-creeping, usually on the soil surface

Roots:         

Habit:        

• A small maidenhair fern

Habitat:   

• The habitat is open eucalyptus forest or rainforest

• It may be seen on moist cliff faces and beside streams, often in high rainfall areas

• This species prefers poorer soils

Distribution:                  

• Eastern Australia 

• Found as far south as Ulladulla in south-east NSW

Additional notes:     

• When with the hairless bluish form, it may be confused with Adiantum cunninghamii

Sources of information:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adiantum_silvaticum (2023)