Ebony Spleenwort Evergreen Fern



Posted: Monday, September 21, 2009

by Dennis Sons
tn nursery

Asplenium platyneuron is the scientific name of the Ebony Spleenwort , which is an evergreen fern that is native to Missouri , although it has also become one of Illinois ' most adaptable and largest spleenwort species. This tree can be seen growing on rocky slopes, mossy banks and rocky wooded ledges. It has a central stem that is dark purplish brown, making it easy to distinguish. The leaves are attractive and have a delicate appearance. Occasionally, this spleenwort will hybridize with other species of spleenwort if they occur together in the same location.

Ebony Spleenwort is a perennial fern that grows to heights of fifteen inches. It produces tiny clumps of simple, pinnate leaves. Each leaf has fifteen to forty pairs of leaflets along its central stalk that are usually arranged alternately along the central stalk. When young leaves first emerge from the ground the central stalk and the petiole are of a light green color, before turning purple when they mature.

When the leaves are fertile, mature leaflets form two rows of elongated sori, which are spore-bearing structures, underneath them. One side of each sorus has a protective membrane that eventually withers and dies. The spores are thus released and they are dispersed by the wind sometime around summer or early fall, and this is how they reproduce.

The root system of the Ebony Spleenwort plants is made up of a short rhizome that has fibrous roots. The rhizome is often vertical or diagonal in its location compared to the ground surface.

This fern requires partial sun but can also put up with full sun. It is grown in moist to dry conditions, on soil that is either very loamy or rocky. Unlike other species of spleenwort, this one is quite restricted to rocky habitats, as it adapts well to terrestrial conditions. It is therefore capable of being grown in suburban gardens as well.

This species of spleenwort is quite common in the southern parts of Illinois , while it is practically absent in the northern parts. This fern has started to spread to other locations that are in the north, however, such as the Great Lakes region.

This fern can be found in habitats such as sandy woodlands, rocky ledges and cliffs, small meadows, upland woodlands, rocky glades and rocky banks.

This tree is best grown in areas that are humid and gritty with dry to medium moisture levels. It needs well drained soils and prefers partially shady areas, but can tolerate full shade as well. You have to take care to avoid over-watering this plant. It needs excellent drainage as well to prevent the occurrence of crown cot. The Ebony Spleenwort can tolerate drought to some extent.

There are no serious diseases or insect problems that affect the Ebony Spleenwort . If the soil is poorly drained it can develop crown rot, which is a significant but not entirely damaging issue. It also becomes susceptible to slugs if watered too much so if you notice more than a few slugs you will need to reduce the watering of the tree.

This Article has been viewed 343 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.