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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Asplenium trichomanes is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen from May to October. The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; North Wall. In. East Wall. In. West Wall. In.
Edible Uses
Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Tea
The dried fronds have been used as a tea substitute[4].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Demulcent Emmenagogue Expectorant Laxative
A tea made from the fronds is sweet, demulcent, expectorant and laxative[4, 240]. It has been used in the treatment of chest complaints[4] and to promote menstruation[257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Spleenworts can be utilized as ground cover in shaded areas, helping to stabilize soil and prevent erosion. They are also beneficial in enhancing biodiversity within shaded forest gardens. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen:
No – Spleenworts do not produce flowers; they reproduce via spores.
2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting):
Yes – While not commonly consumed by humans, some species of spleenworts can be a food source for herbivorous insects. The dense foliage can provide shelter for small animals, although they are not typically used for nesting.
3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover):
Yes – The fronds and leaf litter from spleenworts can provide habitat and shelter for invertebrates, as well as serve as overwintering sites.
4. Pest Confuser (Smell):
No – Spleenworts do not have notable aromatic properties that would help confuse pests.
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Requires a well-drained position and lots of old mortar rubble in the soil[1]. Requires a humid atmosphere and some shade[28, 31]. A good plant for growing on a shady part of an old dry-stone or brick wall[K]. Plants are hardy to about -30°c[200]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[233]. Depending on the species and environmental conditions, spleenworts have a slow to moderate growth rate. They thrive in moist, shaded habitats.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
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Plant Propagation
Spores - best sown as soon as they are ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. The spores usually germinate in the spring[1]. Spring sown spores germinate in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[134]. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse. Keep the plants humid until they are well established. Once the plants are 15cm or more tall, plant them out into their permanent positions in the spring.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Kazakhstan (east), Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Japan (Hokkaidô, Honshu, Kyushu, Shikoku), Taiwan NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Alaska, Wisconsin, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, California, Utah), Canada (Québec, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta) AUSTRALASIA: Australia (South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia), New Zealand EUROPE: Denmark, Finland, United Kingdom, Ireland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Russian Federation (European part), Belarus, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Croatia, Italy, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, France, Portugal AFRICA: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga)
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
17200
Links / References
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