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Common Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum capillus-veneris

Pteridaceae (Maidenhair Fern Family)

Southern Maidenhair Fern, Maidenhair Fern, Venus Hair Fern

Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson
Photo Credit: Claire Sorenson

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Native Habitat: Woodland, Wetland or Riparian
Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau, Southern Texas Plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Texas Blackland Prairies

Maintenance

Without watering, it will go dormant by July. Where water and drainage are adequate, the plant makes a lush ground cover.

Comments

Maidenhair Fern lacks a fan-like growth pattern found in other ferns. It has fine, lacy fronds arising in clusters from creeping rhizomes. Maidenhair prefers moisture year-round. It is often used in crevices of rock walls and well-drained cobbles, especially in cool, north exposures.

Growth Form

Fern

Height

0.5 to
1.75 ft

Spread

.75 to
1.5 ft

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Limestone, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium, High

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Bloom Color

No Bloom

Bloom Season

No Bloom

Seasonal Interest

Unknown

Wildlife Benefit

Unknown

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Previous Scientific Name(s): Synonym/s: Adiantum capillus-veneris var. modestum, Adiantum capillus-veneris var. protrusum, Adiantum modestum

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ADCA. 3) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Adiantum+capillus-veneris&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 4) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=20426&locationType=County&mapType=Normal. 5) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 97. 6) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=17308#null

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State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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