Family: Aspleniaceae
Author: (Burm.f.) Becherer
Bibliography: Candollea 6: 23 (1935)
Year: 1935
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Asplenium
Vegetable: False
Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. Old World to Pacific
Description
The Egyptian spleenwort, scientifically known as Asplenium aethiopicum, is a fascinating fern that belongs to the family Aspleniaceae. This species was formally described by Becherer, referenced in the 1935 publication of Candollea. It is a remarkable example of the rich biodiversity found in tropical and subtropical regions of the Old World, extending its reach all the way to the Pacific.
Asplenium aethiopicum is primarily found in diverse habitats ranging from humid forests to rocky outcrops, adapting well across a variety of climates and altitudinal zones. This resilience enables it to thrive in a wide geographic range, reflecting its adaptability to different environmental conditions.
The fern features the characteristic fronds and growth patterns typical of the Aspleniaceae family. Its intricate leaf structure not only makes it an appealing plant for botanical enthusiasts but also offers ecological benefits within its native ecosystems. The combination of these attributes highlights the importance of the Egyptian spleenwort both in its natural habitat and in horticultural studies.
The study and preservation of Asplenium aethiopicum provide valuable insights into fern biology and contribute to the broader understanding of plant diversity and adaptation. As our knowledge of this species continues to grow, it underscores the essential role that ferns play in the ecological tapestry of tropical and subtropical regions around the world.
Common Names
Eng: egyptian spleenwort
En: Egyptian spleenwort
Fi: Sulkaraunioinen
Synonyms
- Trichomanes aethiopicum (Burm.f.)
Distribution
- Andaman Is. (native)
- Angola (native)
- Assam (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Caroline Is. (native)
- Central African Repu (native)
- Chad (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Djibouti (native)
- Equatorial Guinea (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Fiji (native)
- Free State (native)
- Gabon (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
- Hawaii (native)
- India (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Jawa (native)
- Kazan-retto (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Lesotho (native)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
- Liberia (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Maluku (native)
- Marianas (native)
- Mauritius (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Myanmar (native)
- New Caledonia (native)
- New Guinea (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- Niger (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Niue (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Ogasawara-shoto (native)
- Philippines (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Réunion (native)
- Samoa (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Seychelles (native)
- Sierra Leone (native)
- Society Is. (native)
- Socotra (native)
- Somalia (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- St.Helena (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Sulawesi (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Tonga (native)
- Tubuai Is. (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Victoria (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Western Australia (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Habit
Taken Mar 27, 2022 by Bernard REYNAUD (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Frederic Marin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Kimata Victoria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 7, 2022 by Frederic Marin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 22, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Kimata Victoria (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 19, 2021 by Kimata Victoria (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 22, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:17370980-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2650613)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Asplenium aethiopicum (Burm. f.) Bech.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Forb/herb