Asplenium appendiculatum
Asplenium appendiculatum, ground spleenwort, is a common native fern to Australia and New Zealand. It usually grows in cool damp conditions, among rocks, on logs or as an epiphyte.
Description
Asplenium appendiculatum has foliage that is dark green, with blades that are 100-300 × 50–150 mm long, leathery and slightly drooping. Blade is lanceolate to oblong in shape. Stipe is 50–150 mm long is grooved, green above, brown below and scattered with narrow triangle scales. The rachis is green, scaly and prominently ridged.Pinnae are 8-20 alternate pairs, ranging from 30-100mm long × 5-30mm wide. Those at the base of the blade are ovate with those towards the tip, very narrowly ovate or elliptic. They are often long and relatively undivided tips. Stalks are covered with tiny scales on the underside. Pinnules at the base of the blade are narrowly elliptic and pinnate, up to 30 x 8mm. Pinnules towards the tip of the blade are linear, entire and sessile. Rhizomes are short and are covered with linear, tapering dark brown scales.
Each pinnule on a fertile frond has sori. They are sub marginal and 2-7mm, oblong in shape.
Asplenium appendiculatum is often confused with Asplenium bulbiferum, however lacks bulbils.
Taxonomy and Name
Both the common and scientific name ‘spleenwort’ is derived from Asplenium species being used under the doctrine of signatures, to treat ailments of the spleen. This was belief was based on the spleen shaped sori. ‘Wort’ is an ancient English term that means ‘plant’. The species name appendiculatum, is Latin for 'with appendages.Asplenium appendiculatum was formerly known as Asplenium terrestre, meaning ground dwelling. This name was derived from its terrestrial growth habit in New Zealand, where it was discovered by P. J. Brownsey in 1977. It was once thought to be endemic to New Zealand.