Plant
Black Maidenhair Fern
Adiantum capillus-venerisAlso known as Southern Maidenhair Fern, Venus Hair Fern, Maidenhair Fern
Black maidenhair fern cascades down wet limestone cliffs and riverbanks on dark, polished stems that resemble delicate human hair. Its bright green, fan-shaped leaflets shed water easily thanks to a natural water-repellent coating. Highly prized in horticulture, this ancient frond-bearer thrives in high humidity and sheltered, calcareous rock crevices across warm temperate and tropical regions worldwide.
FeatheryShade-LovingFern
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAutotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
- Gastropods (Snails and Slugs)
- Aphids
ThreatsQuarrying, hydrological changes, over-collection, habitat loss
HabitatsDamp limestone cliffs, rock crevices, waterfalls, grottoes, moist shaded banks
Life spanPerennial (decades via creeping rhizomes)
Classification
- FamilyPteridaceae
- SpeciesAdiantum capillus-veneris
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Habitat Spotting: Look for lush cascading fronds along wet limestone seeps, moist canyon walls, and near waterfalls.
- Gardening Care: Keep soil consistently moist with high humidity and bright indirect light if growing indoors.
Frequent Companion (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Doug McGrady from Warwick, RI, USA / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Close Relative (c) James H. Thomas, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by James H. Thomas · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Peter de Lange · cc0
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