Share

Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    

Asplenium platyneuron (Ebony spleenwort)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Asplenium platyneuron (L.) B.S.P.

Ebony spleenwort

Aspleniaceae (Spleenwort Family)

USDA Symbol: ASPL

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Sterile and fertile fronds are entirely different in appearance and habit. Sterile fronds are only 2-6 in. long, have short, blunt, alternate pinnae, and are evergreen. Fertile fronds are 1-2 ft. long, erect-arching, and bear short, alternate pinnae below and longer, opposite pinnae above. Fronds occur in loose clusters, arising from the clumping rootstock. Colonizing roots are black and wiry.

The word, ebony, refers to the fact that the stalk turns a shining black with age.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Fern
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Size Notes: Normally 12 to 18 inches high
Leaf: Fertile leaves dark green. Infertile leaves paler.
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 , AZ , CO , CT , DC , DE , FL , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: ON
Native Distribution: Ontario and ME to s. MN & s.e. CO, s. to FL & TX. North America east of the Rockies, Zones 5 to 9. Also southern Africa.
Native Habitat: Moist, shaded spaces between rocks; old fields; sandy pinelands; thickets; roadsides
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2) , Acidic (pH<6.8) , Circumneutral (pH 6.8-7.2)
Soil Description: Gravelly, slightly acid, well-drained soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Limestone-based. Grows well in acid or alkaline soils.
Conditions Comments: One of the most drought-tolerant ferns, this fern also takes more sun than many, provided its kept moist enough. Must have good drainage, and does not tolerate flooding. Will need extra water in dry areas to make a ground cover, and even then will only cover loosely.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Good for light, airy cover in drier areas than most ferns can handle.
Interesting Foliage: yes

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division
Description: Root division while dormant or spores
Maintenance: Water occasionally to maximize its cover and to keep it green through hot, dry summers.

From the National Suppliers Directory

According to the inventory provided by Associate Suppliers, this plant is available at the following locations:

Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery - Orefield, PA
Amandas Garden - Springwater, NY
Sunshine Farm & Gardens - Renick, WV
Enchanter's Garden - Hinton, WV
American Native Nursery - Quakertown, PA

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
Natural Biodiversity - Johnstown, PA

Bibliography

Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski
Bibref 1231 - Guide To the Ferns of Grey and Bruce Counties, Ontario (1999) Owen Sound Field Naturalists
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Asplenium platyneuron in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Asplenium platyneuron in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Asplenium platyneuron

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-10
Research By: TWC Staff

Go back