Maidenhair Spleenwort

Botanical name: Asplenium trichomanes
Synonyms: Asplenium melanolepis, Chamaefilix trichomanes
Common name(s): Maidenhair Spleenwort, Spleenwort

Plant facts:
A small elegant rock fern recognised by its stiff dark stems and rows of rounded green pinnae. This species is widespread globally and occurs naturally in New Zealand on rocky limestone and basalt habitats, often colonising cliffs, crevices, and stone walls.

Natural habitat:
Occurs naturally on rocky outcrops, limestone cliffs, basalt formations, schist slopes, rocky banks, and crevices within sparsely vegetated sites.

Growing environment:
Partial shade to full sun, Free-draining soils, Rock crevices & Base-rich substrates.
Prefers limestone, basalt, mortar, or other mineral-rich rocky soils with excellent drainage.

Distribution:
Indigenous to New Zealand and widespread globally.
In New Zealand found throughout much of the North and South Islands, especially on calcareous rocky habitats.

Height:
Approximately 0.05–0.3 m tall

Width:
Forms compact clumps approximately 0.1–0.3 m across

Uses:

• Rock gardens
• Stone wall plantings
• Alpine and fern collections
• Crevice gardens
• Naturalistic landscaping
• Container planting

Appearance:

Growth habit:
A small tufted evergreen fern forming dense clumps from a short erect rhizome.

Fronds:
Fronds are narrow, stiff, dark green, and simply pinnate with a distinct upright appearance.

Stems and rachis:
Stipes and rachises are glossy dark brown to blackish-brown, slender, and completely without scales except near the base.

Leaflets:
Pinnae are small, rounded to oblong, arranged in opposite pairs, and vary from entire to slightly toothed.

Sori:
Small elongated sori form beneath the pinnae along the veins.

Ecology:
An adaptable rock-dwelling fern specialised for dry exposed rocky habitats where it occupies crevices and mineral-rich substrates.

Associated habitats:
Frequently associated with limestone bluffs, basalt cliffs, rocky escarpments, old walls, and exposed montane rock fields.

How to grow:
Best planted in sharply free-draining mineral-rich soils or directly into rock walls and crevices. Prefers partial shade but tolerates considerable sun if moisture is available around the roots.

Propagation:
Easily propagated from spores or division of established clumps.

Garden value:
A refined and highly ornamental fern valued for its delicate architectural form, dark wiry stems, and ability to soften stone walls and rocky landscapes with minimal maintenance.