Asplenium bulbiferum

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Asplenium bulbiferum

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Pteridophyta
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Family: Aspleniaceae
Genus: Asplenium
Species: A. bulbiferum
Binomial name
Asplenium bulbiferum

Mother Spleenwort (Asplenium bulbiferum) is a fern species native to New Zealand. It is also called Hen and Chickens Fern, and in the Māori language Mouku.

Hen and Chicken Ferns grow small bulbils on top of their fronds. Once grown to about 5 cm, these offsprings fall off and provided the soil they land in is kept moist, will develop a root system and grow into new ferns. This additional means of reproduction is easier to use for propagation than spores.

Hen and Chicken Fern commonly grows in most bush areas in New Zealand and is also commercially grown and sold. It thrives in many situations from shade to partial sunlight and is also suitable and popular as an indoor plant, including for areas with low light.