American Maidenhair Fern

Adiantum pedatum

Pteridaceae

Growth Habit

Fern

Propagation

Seed Treatment and Storage: Propagate by spores in moist, sterile medium in closed, transparent plastic containers.

Biocultural Value

The Maidu, Karok, and Makah split maidenhair fern's dark petioles and used them as a decorative element in basketry. The plant has a wide range of medicinal uses among Native Americans, including as an antirheumatic (Cherokee, Haudenosaunee), febrifuge (Cherokee), female gynecological aid (Haudenosaunee, Menominee, Potawatomi), and and gastrointestinal medicine (Costanoan). Maidenhair fern was taken by Hesquiat and Nitinaht dancers to give them strength and make them lightfooted.

Wildlife Value

Two aphid species (Macrosiphon adianti and Papulaphis sleesmani) suck juices from maidenhair fern foliage. White-tailed deer avoid browsing the fronds.

Location

Edwards Lake Cliffs Preserve, Fall Creek Gorge, Fischer Old-growth Forest, McDaniel Meadow, Woods, and Swamp, Polson Preserve, Ringwood Ponds, Steep Hollow Creek, Tarr-Young Preserve, Mundy Wildflower Garden

Cultivation

A 1-3' tall fern with a delicate parasol of fronds on distinctive black, wiry stems. New fronds are pink when emerging in early spring.

Light: part to full shade

Moisture and Soil: moist, humus-rich wooded slopes and stream banks

Description

Fronds 12"-30" long, deciduous, rising from a short-creeping, horizontal, colony-forming rhizome. The stalk of the frond forks nearly in half with the two parts curving back, each having 3-5 finger-like divisions, each in turn bearing 12-20 pairs of oblong segments.

Source of plant

Sunny Border Ohio, Arrowhead Alpines, North Creek Nurseries, White Flower Farm, Sunny Border Nurseries

USDA Hardiness Zone

3

Special characteristics

notable texture