Maidenhair Fern – Adiantum pedatum

 

Nomenclature:

  • Adiantum pedatum
  • Family: Pteridaceae

 

Botany and Ecology:

  • Habitat: rich woodlands, often on limestone soil or humus-covered talus slopes
  • Found up to an elevation of 700 m
  • Height: 12-18 inches
  • Location of spores: outer edges of leaflets
  • Stipe (leaf stalk): thin and wiry; black or dark brown
  • Growth pattern: random
  • Persistence: deciduous
  • Distribution:
    • United States: AL, AR, AZ, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV
    • Canada: NB, NF, NS, ON, QC

 

Uses:

  • Medicinal:
    • Antirheumatic, astringent, demulcent, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge,
    • A tea can be made for asthma, nasal congestion, and sore throat
  • Other:
    • Ornamental
    • Hair conditioner

 

Conservation Status:

·        Conservation Status: Secure – This species is common to ubiquitous in mesophytic forest communities throughout the US and Canada.

·        http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Adiantum+pedatum. [Date Accessed: July 14, 2008].

 

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