Wasowski, Sally and Andy
Adiantum pedatum L.
Northern maidenhair, Maidenhair Fern
Pteridaceae (Maidenhair Fern Family)
Northern maidenhair’s delicate, 8-20 in. fronds, with dark, shiny stems, spread their
pinnae horizontally in a nearly
perfect circle. This graceful, fan-like pattern is unique among
native ferns. The fronds arise from a creeping rootstock in clusters. Burgundy red fiddleheads appear in early spring. The roots are wiry and black, colonizing in favorable sites.
This
fern is quite easy to grow if it is provided with the right conditions. Western plants are sometimes treated as a separate variety or subspecies,
A. pedatum var. or ssp.
aleuticum, but eastern and western plants look very much alike.
Image Gallery:
2 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Fern Leaf Retention: Deciduous Leaf: Dark Green
Flower:
Fruit: Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Not Applicable
Bloom Notes: Not a flowering plant. Reproduces by spores.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: NB ,
NS ,
ON ,
QC Native Distribution: Que., Ont. & AK, s. to GA, OK, & c. CA. North America Zones 4 to 8.
Native Habitat: Moist, cool, rich woods & shaded areas, especially northern exposures, with neither little nor too much moisture. Rocky seeps and springs especially.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low
Drought Tolerance: Low
Soil Description: Rich, moist, well-drained soils, mostly acidic but can tolerate some lime.
Conditions Comments: Likes moist but not wet sites. Will not survive drying out. Keep evenly moist year-round.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Uniquely delicate, light green foliage, black stems, and red fiddleheads for areas with the right conditions
Use Wildlife: Provides shelter for toads and lizards.
Use Medicinal: Indigenous peoples made a tea from the leaves to treat respiratory conditions such as coughing and consumption.
Use Other: Shiny, dark stems used in basketry.
Interesting Foliage: yes
Last Update: 2012-10-03
