Maidenhair Fern, Common maidenhair, Southern Maidenhair Fern, Venus Maidenhair Fern, Venus's Hair Fe
Adiantum capillus-veneris
Family: Polypodiaceae
What it is like
Form: Spreading or horizontal, Upright or erect.
Adiantum capillus-veneris is a FERN growing to 0.3 m (1ft) by 0.3 m (1ft in) at a slow rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. The seeds ripen from May to September. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.3
Where it is found
Rock crevices, cliffs by the sea on basic rocks in damp positions.
Tropical and warm temperate zones throughout the world, including Britain.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
The fronds are used as a garnish on sweet dishes. The dried fronds are used to make a tea. A syrup is made from the plant - it makes a refreshing summer drink. The fern (does this refer to the rootstock?) is simmered in water for several hours and the liquid made into a thick syrup with sugar and orange water. It is then mixed with fruit juices to make a refreshing drink.
Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The maidenhair fern has a long history of medicinal use and was the main ingredient of a popular cough syrup called 'Capillaire', which remained in use until the nineteenth century. The plant is little used in modern herbalism. The fresh or dried leafy fronds are antidandruff, antitussive, astringent, demulcent, depurative, emetic, weakly emmenagogue, emollient, weakly expectorant, febrifuge, galactogogue, laxative, pectoral, refrigerant, stimulant, sudorific and tonic. A tea or syrup is used in the treatment of coughs, throat afflictions and bronchitis. It is also used as a detoxicant in alcoholism and to expel worms from the body. Externally, it is used as a poultice on snake bites, bee stings etc. In Nepal, a paste made from the fronds is applied to the forehead to relieve headaches and to the chest to relieve chest pains. The plant is best used fresh, though it can also be harvested in the summer and dried for later use.
Antidandruff: Treats dandruff.
Antitussive: Prevents or relieves coughing.
Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
Emmenagogue: Promotes or increases the menstrual flow. In early stages of pregnancy it can induce an abortion.
Expectorant: Clears phlegm from the chest by inducing coughing.
Galactogogue: Promotes the flow of milk in a nursing mother.
Refrigerant: Cools the body.
Stings: Used in the treatment of stings and insect bites.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Vermifuge: Expels and kills internal parasites.
Other
Rating:
The leaves are used as a hair tonic and treatment for dandruff.
Hair: Plants used as hair shampoos, tonics, to treat balding etc.
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Ground cover, Woodland garden. Requires an abundance of moisture in the air and in the soil, though the soil should be well-drained. Likes a position with plenty of light but dislikes full sun. Prefers a sheltered shady position. If the plant dries out temporarily it will lose most of its fronds, though it will usually resprout from the base. Plants are not very hardy outdoors in Britain, even though they are a native species. They only succeed in areas with little or no frosts, growing well on maritime cliffs in the milder areas of the country. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer. A very ornamental plant. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing, There are no flowers or blooms.
Propagating it: Spores - best sown as soon as ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Germination should take place within 6 weeks. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and keep humid until they are well established. Do not plant outside until the ferns are at least 2 years old and then only in a very well sheltered position. Division in spring or autumn. Best carried out in early spring.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Cultivated Beds; West Wall. In.
Habit: Fern
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth: Slow
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase.