Pictorial guide to the flora of the British Isles

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Asplenium trichomanes L.

maidenhair spleenwort (Aspleniaceae)

 SpreadBias within British IslesDirection of bias
Very widespreadNegligible tendencyW
Plant Atlas 2020
BSBI Distribution Map

Asplenium trichomanes is a very widespread fern, usually found on man-made walls; it differs from Asplenium viride by the blackish rather than green rachis to each leaf.

Duntisbourne (VC33: East Gloucestershire); 2019-03-08

 maidenhair spleenwort / Asplenium trichomanes: _Asplenium trichomanes_ is a very widespread fern, usually found on man-made walls; it differs from _Asplenium viride_ by the blackish rather than green rachis to each leaf.

A. trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens is tetraploid and can be found on basic rocks and mortared walls throughout the country. It has more oblong pinnules than subsp. trichomanes, almost sessile, and larger sori, indusia and spores.

East Leake (VC56: Nottinghamshire); 2016-12-24

 maidenhair spleenwort / Asplenium trichomanes: _A. trichomanes_ subsp. _quadrivalens_ is tetraploid and can be found on basic rocks and mortared walls throughout the country. It has more oblong pinnules than subsp. _trichomanes_, almost sessile, and larger sori, indusia and spores.

A. trichomanes subsp. trichomanes is diploid and restricted to acidic mountain rocks; it has shorter, rounder pinnules on longer stalks than A. trichomanes subsp. quadrivalens, and smaller sori, indusia and spores.

Glyderau (VC49: Caernarvonshire); 2008-03-24

 maidenhair spleenwort / Asplenium trichomanes: _A. trichomanes_ subsp. _trichomanes_ is diploid and restricted to acidic mountain rocks; it has shorter, rounder pinnules on longer stalks than _A. trichomanes_ subsp. _quadrivalens_, and smaller sori, indusia and spores.

All images copyright © Christopher J. Dixon unless otherwise indicated.

L-R: Bidens tripartita, Melilotus officinalis, Mimulus guttatus, Thalictrum flavum, Ranunculus peltatus, Anchusa arvensis, Malva alcea, Lolium perenne