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Common Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum capillus-veneris

Other common name(s):

Southern Maidenhair Fern, Maidenhair Fern, Venus Hair Fern

Family:

Pteridaceae (Maidenhair Fern Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Chihuahuan Deserts, Edwards Plateau, Southern Texas Plains, Southwestern Tablelands, Texas Blackland Prairies
Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands, Chihuahuan Montane Woodlands, Low Mountains and Bajadas, Stockton Plateau
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Semiarid Edwards Bajada
Caprock Canyons Badlands Breaks, Flat Tablelands and Valleys
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Groundcover, Fern

Height

0.5
to
1.75
ft.

Spread

.75
to
1.5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Limestone, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium, High

Native Habitat

Woodland, Wetland or Riparian

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

No Bloom

Bloom Season

No Bloom

Seasonal Interest

Unknown

Wildlife Benefit

Unknown

Maintenance

Likes moisture year-round, but needs good drainage. Makes a lush ground cover. It is often used in crevices of rock walls and well-drained cobbles, especially in cool, north exposures. Without sufficient water, it will go dormant by July. Propagation: Root division, Spores.

Comments

Maidenhair Fern lacks a fan-like growth pattern found in other ferns. It has fine, lacy fronds. Colonizes by rhizomes.
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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