Adiantum silvaticum
Rough Maidenhair
Rough Maidenhair
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
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: