Family: Aspleniaceae
Author: (L.) Roth
Bibliography: Ann. Bot. (Usteri) 10: 56 (1794)
Year: 1794
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Blechnum
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: Macaronesia, NW. Africa, Europe to Iran, Japan, S. Alaska to W. U.S.A.
Description
The Deer Fern, known scientifically as Blechnum spicant, is a resilient and adaptable fern that graces a variety of regions across the globe. Described initially in Annalen der Botanik by Usteri in 1794, this particular species was framed within the botanical literature under the authorship of (L.) Roth.
Esteemed for its intriguing structure and evergreen foliage, the Deer Fern is native to an extensive range stretching from the lush landscapes of Macaronesia and the rugged terrains of North-Western Africa, extending through Europe and reaching as far as Iran and Japan. Moreover, it is found in the distant wilderness of Southern Alaska and into the temperate zones of the Western United States.
Belonging to the family Aspleniaceae, Blechnum spicant is distinguished by its unique biological and ecological traits. This fern typically thrives in moist and shaded environments, often carpeting forest floors with its delicate yet robust fronds. Its dual sets of fronds, sterile and fertile, add a distinctive aesthetic to the plant, showcasing nature’s ingenuity in adaptation and survival.
Known for its ability to maintain verdure throughout the year, the Deer Fern is a striking example of perennial resilience. Whether nestled among mossy undergrowths or lining the banks of cool, shaded streams, this fern represents the enduring spirit of many of the world’s woodland ecosystems. Its presence across continents and climates underscores the remarkable adaptability and ecological importance of Blechnum spicant in the plant kingdom.
Common Names
En: Deer fern, Hard fern
De: Gewöhnlicher Rippenfarn, Rippenfarn
No: Bjønkam, Kjekam, Lusegræs
Synonyms
- Acrostichum lineatum (Cav.)
- Blechnum heterophyllum (Opiz)
- Blechnum spicant f. serratum ((Woll ex T.Moore) M.Broun)
- Blechnum spicant var. pectinatum (Clute)
- Blechnum spicant var. serratum (Woll ex T.Moore)
- Osmunda spicant (L.)
- Lomaria spicant var. elongata (Hook.)
- Blechnum spicant var. elongata ((Hook.) B.Boivin)
- Blechnum septentrionale (Sailer)
- Osmunda borealis (Salisb.)
- Struthiopteris japanensis (Trevis.)
- Struthiopteris fallax ((Lange) S.Molino, Gabriel y Galán & Wasowicz)
- Struthiopteris spicant var. pradae (S.Molino & Gabriel y Galán)
- Blechnum boreale (Sw.)
- Acrostichum spicant ((L.) Willd.)
- Struthiopteris spicant ((L.) Weiss)
- Lomaria borealis (Link)
- Lomaria crenata (C.Presl)
- Spicanta borealis (C.Presl)
- Blechnum spicant var. homophyllum (Merino ex Christ)
- Lomaria spicant ((L.) Desv.)
- Struthiopteris spicant var. homophyllum ((Merino) G.Y Galán & R.Pino)
- Struthiopteris spicant var. fallax ((Lange) Wasowicz & G.Y Galán)
- Onoclea spicant ((L.) Hoffm.)
- Homophyllum blechnoides (Merino)
- Blechnum spicant var. fallax (Lange)
- Blechnum spicant var. latifolium (Milde)
- Blechnum spicant subsp. homophyllum ((Merino ex Christ) Merino)
- Lonchitis-aspera spicant ((L.) Farw.)
- Struthiopteris japonica (W.Bull)
- Osmunda spicanthus (J.F.Gmel.)
- Lonchitis-aspera spicant var. serrata ((Woll ex T.Moore) Farw.)
- Struthiopteris spicant var. crenata ((C.Presl) J.K.Henry)
- Acrostichum nemorale (Lam.)
- Struthiopteris doodioides (Trevis.)
- Blechnum spicant var. crenatum ((C.Presl) T.Moore)
- Asplenium spicant ((L.) Ehrh.)
Distribution
- Alaska (native)
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Austria (native)
- Azores (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belgium (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- California (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- Finland (native)
- France (native)
- Føroyar (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iceland (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Iran (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Washington (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Jan 6, 2020 by Paul Henrich (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 25, 2020 by BW Sara (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 3, 2020 by Mac and Marcy Graham (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 9, 2021 by Adeeko Temitope (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 5, 2021 by Crispín Pérez (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Apr 21, 2015 by EOL − kevinhintsa (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 31, 2015 by EOL − Prem Rose (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 29, 2013 by EOL − John Brew (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 18, 2015 by EOL − Torsten Eriksson (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jul 25, 2015 by EOL − Wendy Feltham (cc-by-nc)
Bark
Taken Jul 15, 2014 by EOL − Michael Wunderli (cc-by)
Taken Jul 14, 2021 by Diego Robustiano (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 30, 2021 by Sarami (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 30, 2022 by Bogdan Nesic (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 14, 2018 by Rob Liroff (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Feb 28, 2021 by Rico Mende (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 16, 2022 by Valéry Henriot (cc-by-sa)
© 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.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- WFO (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30079143-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Blechnum spicant (L.) Sm.)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2651533)