Maidenhair Spleenwort, Dense spleenwort, Toothed spleenwort, Brightgreen spleenwort
Asplenium trichomanes
Family: Polypodiaceae
What it is like
Asplenium trichomanes is an evergreen Fern growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, and the seeds ripen from May to October. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) or semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.4
Where it is found
Walls and crevices of mainly basic rocks.
Most temperate regions of the world, including Britain, mountains in the Tropics.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
The dried fronds have been used as a tea substitute.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 1
A tea made from the fronds is sweet, demulcent, expectorant and laxative. It has been used in the treatment of chest complaints and to promote menstruation.
Demulcent: Soothes, lubricates and softens irritated tissues, especially the mucous membranes.
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.
Laxative: Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Requires a well-drained position and lots of old mortar rubble in the soil. Requires a humid atmosphere and some shade. A good plant for growing on a shady part of an old dry-stone or brick wall. Plants are hardy to about -30°c. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.
Propagating it: Spores - best sown as soon as they are ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. The spores usually germinate in the spring. Spring sown spores germinate in 1 - 3 months at 15°c. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a greenhouse. Keep the plants humid until they are well established. Once the plants are 15cm or more tall, plant them out into their permanent positions in the spring.
Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; North Wall. In. East Wall. In. West Wall. In.
Habit: Fern
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Full 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.