Forked spleenwort (Asplenium septentrionale, Deutschl. Fl. 2: 12 (1796))

Family: Aspleniaceae

Author: (L.) Hoffm.

Bibliography: Deutschl. Fl. 2: 12 (1796)

Year: 1796

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Asplenium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. Northern Hemisphere to Mexico

Description

Forked spleenwort, scientifically known as Asplenium septentrionale, is an intriguing species of fern belonging to the family Aspleniaceae. This distinctive plant captures attention with its unique forked fronds, which are notable for their singular shape and structure. The specificity in the design of its fronds highlights the evolutionary adaptations that have enabled it to thrive in various regions.

Having been first described in 1796 in the work titled “Deutschl. Fl. 2: 12” by (L.) Hoffm., Forked spleenwort has since established itself across a broad geographical range. It can be found spanning the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, reaching as far south as Mexico. This broad distribution underscores its versatility and capability to adapt to different environmental conditions.

Forked spleenwort typically prefers rocky substrates, often gracing cliffs, crevices, and rock outcrops with its presence. The plant’s resilience and ability to flourish in seemingly inhospitable locales speak volumes about its ecological adaptations. The fronds of the plant are linear and dichotomously forked, which not only provides its common name but also distinguishes it significantly from other fern species.

In addition to its botanical charm, Forked spleenwort contributes to the ecological diversity of the habitats it inhabits. These ferns play a role in the ecosystem by offering microhabitats for various small invertebrates and contributing to the stabilization of rocky environments with their root systems.

Forked spleenwort represents both biological endurance and the intricate beauty of plant evolution. Whether observed growing tenaciously on a secluded rock face or studied within a botanical collection, Asplenium septentrionale is a remarkable example of nature’s adaptability and diversity.

Common Names

Deu: nordischer streifenfarn, nördlicher streifenfarn
Dan: nordisk radeløv
Eng: forked spleenwort
Swe: gaffelbräken, liuskaraunioinen, hällespring
Fin: liuskaraunioinen
Nob: olavsskjegg
Nno: olavsskjegg
Nld: noordse streepvaren
Sme: riesalomot
Cym: duegredynen fforchog, rhedyn gaflachrog, rhedyn y clogwyn, rhedyn y graig
En: Forked spleenwort, Northern Spleenwort
Az: Şimal qamçılıca
Bg: Северно изтравниче
Ca: Falzia prima
Zh: 叉叶铁角蕨, 叉葉鐵角蕨, 線葉鐵角蕨
Cs: Sleziník severní
Da: Nordisk radeløv
Nl: Noordse streepvaren, Nordse Streepvaren
Et: Põhja-raunjalg
Fi: Liuskaraunioinen
Fr: Doradille du nord, Asplénie du Nord, Asplénie septentrionale, Asplénium septentrional, Doradille nordique, Doradille septentrionale
De: Nördlicher Streifenfarn, Nordischer Streifenfarn, Gabeliger Streifenfarn, Nordischer Strichfarn, Schmaler Streifenfarn
Is: Skeggburkni
It: Asplenio settentrionale
Se: Riesalomot
Nb: Olavsskjegg
Nn: Olavsskjegg
Fa: سپرزداروی شمالی
Pl: Zanokcica północna
Ru: Костенец северный
Sv: Gaffelbräken, Liuskaraunioinen, Hällespring
Zh-tw: 線葉鐵角蕨
Uk: Аспленій північний
Cy: Duegredynen Fforchog, Rhedyn Gaflachrog, Rhedyn y Clogwyn, Rhedyn y Graig

Synonyms

• Acropteris septentrionalis ((L.) Link)
• Belvisia septentrionalis ((L.) Mirb.)
• Scolopendrium septentrionale ((L.) Roth)
• Acrostichum septentrionale (L.)
• Amesium septentrionale ((L.) Newman)
• Tarachia septentrionalis ((L.) Momose)
• Chamaefilix septentrionalis ((L.) Farw.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• California (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iceland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Iran (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Texas (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Utah (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Aug 14, 2022 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 7, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 22, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 23, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2021 by euphrosiine M (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2021 by Mallol Camprubí Albert (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 14, 2022 by margarida vila (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 26, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 8, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2019 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Dec 31, 1847 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 1903 by Tela Botanica − La Spada Arturo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 1898 by Tela Botanica − La Spada Arturo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by Tela Botanica − La Spada Arturo (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 5, 2020 by Marc Solà (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2650720)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:304469-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Asplenium septentrionale (L.) Hoffm.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Forb/herb

Growth

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’, ‘oct’]