Family: Pteridaceae
Author: Wikstr.
Bibliography: Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Handl. 1825: 443 (1826)
Year: 1826
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Adiantum
Vegetable: False
Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America, Nigeria to Ethiopia and S. Africa, SW. Arabian Pen., W. Indian Ocean, SW. India, Sri Lanka
Description
The Mexican maidenhair, scientifically known as Adiantum poiretii, is a delicate and graceful fern that belongs to the family Pteridaceae. This plant is renowned for its lacy, light green fronds which grow on black, thread-like stems, giving it an ethereal appearance. It thrives mainly in tropical and subtropical regions, including areas across the Americas, from Mexico down through Central and South America, and spans across continents to places such as Nigeria, Ethiopia, South Africa, the southwestern Arabian Peninsula, the islands of the western Indian Ocean, southwestern India, and Sri Lanka.
First documented by Wikstr. in the Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Handl. in 1825, the Mexican maidenhair is favored for its ornamental appeal and adaptability to various environments. It grows best in shady, moist conditions, often thriving in the crevices of rocks and the undergrowth of forests where moisture is abundant but not stagnant.
This fern typically requires a warm, humid atmosphere, which makes it well-suited for indoor pot cultivation or shaded garden beds. Its lush fronds are not only visually pleasing but also contribute to the ambiance of tranquil, tropical settings. While it demands consistent care, particularly in maintaining humidity and avoiding direct sunlight, the beauty it brings to any space makes the effort worthwhile.
The wide geographical spread of Adiantum poiretii from the America’s to far-flung regions like SW. India and Sri Lanka underlines its adaptability and resilience in diverse climates. This has also allowed it to be a popular species for study, contributing to our understanding of ferns and their ecological roles across different habitats.
In summary, the Mexican maidenhair fern is a testament to nature’s elegance, embodying a perfect blend of aesthetic charm and botanical resilience that has captured the admiration of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike for nearly two centuries.
Common Names
Eng: mexican maidenhair
En: Mexican maidenhair
Synonyms
Distribution
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Chile Central (native)
- Chile North (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Comoros (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Free State (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Honduras (native)
- India (native)
- Kenya (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Lesotho (native)
- Madagascar (native)
- Malawi (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Réunion (native)
- Socotra (native)
- Sri Lanka (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Tristan da Cunha (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
Additional Images
Fruit
Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Trap Hers (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.
Leaf
Taken Oct 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 24, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Oct 23, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:17012320-1)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7335733)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Adiantum poiretii Wikstr.)
