Family: Aspleniaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1079 (1753)
Year: 1753
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Asplenium
Vegetable: False
Observations: SE. Canada to Mexico, Macaronesia, Europe to Iran, NW. Africa
Description
The Hart’s-tongue fern, scientifically known as Asplenium scolopendrium, is an intriguing and attractive species within the Aspleniaceae family. First described in the seminal taxonomic work “Species Plantarum” by Linnaeus in 1753, this fern has garnered attention for its unique morphology and widespread distribution.
Distinguished by its glossy, undivided fronds which resemble the shape of a tongue, the Hart’s-tongue fern can be easily identified among other ferns that typically possess divided leaves. These fronds grow from a central rosette and can reach lengths up to 60 centimeters, displaying a vibrant green hue that remains throughout the year, making it an evergreen species. The underside of the fronds is adorned with linear sori, essential reproductive structures that align themselves parallel to the central vein.
Native to a wide geographical range, Asplenium scolopendrium can be found from Southeast Canada stretching down through to Mexico. It also thrives in the Macaronesia region, across Europe extending to Iran, and in the northwestern part of Africa. This broad distribution is a testament to the fern’s adaptability to varied climatic conditions, although it predominantly favors calcareous, shaded woodlands and humid, rocky environments.
Ecologically, the Hart’s-tongue fern plays a significant role in forest understories, contributing to the biodiversity and stability of these ecosystems. It provides habitats for various invertebrates and micro-organisms due to its perennial nature and dense foliage.
Cultivation of Asplenium scolopendrium in garden environments has become increasingly popular. Gardeners often appreciate it for its low-maintenance care and the lush greenery it adds to shaded areas. It is ideally grown in humus-rich, well-drained soil with consistent moisture levels, replicating the conditions found in its native habitats.
Overall, the Hart’s-tongue fern is a fascinating species celebrated both for its aesthetic appeal and its significant ecological contributions.
Common Names
Eng: hart’s tonguefern, hart’s-tongue fern, hartstonque
Deu: hirschzunge
Dan: hjortetunge
Nor: hjortetunge
Nob: hjortetunge
Nno: hjortetunge
Swe: hjorttunga
Fra: langue de cerf, scolopendre, asplénium scolopendre, phyllitis scolopendre, scolopendre officinale
Nld: tongvaren
En: Hart’s-tongue fern, Hart’s tonguefern, Hart’s-tongue, Hartstonque, Hind’s Tongue, Horse Tongue
Ar: عقربان
Az: Adi çalovcuq
Eu: Orein-mihi
Bg: Волски език
Ca: Lengua de cérvol, Herba cervuna, Llengua cérvol
Zh: 對開蕨, 東北對開蕨, 阿勒泰鐵角蕨
Cs: Jelení jazyk
Da: Hjortetunge
Nl: Tongvaren
Eo: Cervolanga asplenio
Et: Keel-raunjalg
Fi: Hirvenkieli
Fr: Langue de cerf, Scolopendre, Asplénium scolopendre, Phyllitis scolopendre, Scolopendre officinale, Herbe à la rate, Herbe hépatique, Langue-de-boeuf, Langue-de-cerf
Gl: Cerviña
De: Hirschzunge, Hirschzungenfarn, Zungenfarn
He: גריזית אירופית
Hu: Gímpáfrány
Ga: Creamh na muice fia
It: Scolopendria comune, Lingua cervina, Lingua dei pozzi
Lt: Briedlielinė kalnarūtė
No: Hjortetunge
Nb: Hjortetunge
Nn: Hjortetunge
Os: Сындзсыф
Fa: زنگیدارو
Pl: Języcznik zwyczajny
Pt: Língua cervina
Ru: Костенец сколопендровый
Sk: Jelení jazyk celolistvový, Jazyk jelení
Es: Jelenov jezik, Lengua cervina, Escolopendra, Hierba de la sangre, Lengua de ciervo
Sv: Hjorttunga
Zh-tw: 對開蕨
Uk: Листовик сколопендровий
Wa: Linwe di cier
Cy: Tafod yr Hydd
Synonyms
- Scolopendrium scolopendrium ((L.) H.Karst.)
- Phyllitis scolopendrium ((L.) Newman)
- Scolopendrium officinale var. integrum (Wallr.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Albania (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Austria (native)
- Azores (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Corse (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Denmark (native)
- France (native)
- Føroyar (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Italy (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Libya (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New York (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Norway (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Falkland Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
Leaf
Taken Nov 14, 2021 by Pascal Suard (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 12, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 28, 2021 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 12, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 14, 2017 by Kélian Gautier (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Jan 12, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 17, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 21, 2021 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 14, 2020 by Glyn Davies (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 12, 2022 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Dec 21, 2021 by David Hocken (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 30, 2021 by Ernst Fürst (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 1, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 7, 2021 by Jenn (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 12, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Jul 27, 2021 by García Calero Cristina (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 10, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 17, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 1, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 24, 2017 by 1 (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Aug 24, 2022 by E Schmidt (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 13, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 12, 2020 by Sabaté Sant Jordi (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 27, 2019 by Jiří Vilím (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 7, 2021 by Jenn (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Oct 1, 2011 by Tela Botanica − La Spada Arturo (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 10, 2016 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 28, 2022 by manuseitz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 26, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 10, 2022 by cscoq (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)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2650669)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30216020-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Asplenium scolopendrium L.)
Specifications
Growth habit: Forb/herb
Growth
Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’, ‘oct’]