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Maidenhair Fern
Scientific Name: Adiantum pedatum
Family Name: Polypodiaceae
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Style: Circular or horseshoe-like flat fronds borne on slender erect stalks. Each stalk divides into two recurving parts that bear leaflets on outer rim, the larger leaflets being in middle. Ecology: In rich shaded soil, often in ravines or beneath moist rocky banks; most abundant in limestone areas. Leaves: Variable in size according to richness of soil, but flat fronds reach a size of 16 inches by 10 inches under most favorable conditions. Leaflets: Bluish green, usually 5 or 6 on each branch of stalk. Elongate; longest ones closest to branching of stalk. Subleaflets: Extremely variable in shape, with practically no stalks. Vary from fan-shaped to oblong, alternately arranged, entire on lower edge but with upper edge more or less incised. Axis: Recurved, slender, black to chestnut-brown or greenish; not scaly. Stalk: 20 inches long; shining black or dark brown, and smooth except for scales at very base. Stalks often conspicuous on ground after leaves have died down. Rootstock: Extensively creeping, grayish brown, frequently with remains of old broken stalks, and with light brown scales near the growing end. Roots: Slender, grayish, mostly near growing end of rootstock. Fruitdots: 1 to 5; on upper margins of leaflets. Indusium white to yellowish green, very thin, rounded to linear in shape. [Cobb, Boughton, A Field Guide to the Ferns, Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 1956]