| Asplenium rhizophyllum | |
|---|---|
| Asplenium rhizophyllum on rocks in the Red River Gorge, Daniel Boone National Forest, Kentucky, USA. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Pteridophyta |
| Class: | Pteridopsida |
| Order: | Polypodiales |
| Family: | Aspleniaceae |
| Genus: | Asplenium |
| Species: | A. rhizophyllum |
| Binomial name | |
| Asplenium rhizophyllum L. |
|
| Synonyms | |
|
Camptosorus rhizophyllus |
|
Asplenium rhizophyllum, the American Walking Fern, is a rare, low lying fern native to North America. It is a close relative of Asplenium ruprechtii[1] (syn: Camptosorus sibiricus) which is found in East Asia and also goes by the common name of walking fern[2].
The name walking fern was derived from the way the fern spreads. The underside of each leaf contain sori, and when the tip of the leaf touches the ground, new plantlets sprout, creating a "walking" effect.
The fern grows to a height of 15 cm (6 inches). Its leaves are evergreen, linear to lanceolate in shape, and range from 15 to 30 cm (6 to 12 inches) in length. Sori are distributed along the veins on the underside of the leaves. The plant is green in colour, with red/brown patches at the base of the leaves. These hardy plants can be found in shady spots of limestone ledges and limy forest places.
United States department of agriculture
NatureServe Explorer
Hardy Fern Library
Daves Gardens
Connecticut Botanical Society
Plant Delights Nursery
http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/botany/Asplenium_rhizophyllum.pdf