Maidenhair spleenwort
Asplenium trichomanes

Family: Aspleniaceae

What it is like

A small fern. It grows 5-15 cm high.

There are over 600-700 Asplenium ferns. They are mostly tropical and subtropical.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It grows in cracks in rocks and on mossy boulders. It grows in the mountains in the tropics.

Countries/locations it is found in

Albania, Andorra, Asia, Australia, Central Asia, China, Europe, Fiji, Himalayas, India, Korea, Luxembourg, NW India, Pacific, Slovenia, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania

How it is used for food

Caution: Probably only to be eaten in small amounts. It may need drying or processing by cooking before using. It is dried and used for tea. The young tender shoots and leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Leaves - tea, vegetable

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Fir guri, Kandai, Rjavi sršaj

Synonyms

Asplenium anceps v.; Asplenium densum Brack.; Asplenium melanocaulon Willd.; Asplenium melanolepis Col.; Asplenium minus and pusillum Blume; Asplenium trichomanoides Houtt.; Phyllitis rotundifolia Moench; Trichomanes crenatum Gilib.;