( Asplenium rhizophyllum ): Contributes the long, tapering frond tips.
( Asplenium montanum ): Contributes the deeply lobed leaf structure.
: Its fronds narrow into a long, slender point, a trait inherited from the Walking Fern. asplenium pinnatifidum
: It typically grows in small, dense clusters directly out of cracks in shaded, damp rock faces. Where to Find It
While nowhere is it "common," the Lobed Spleenwort is most prevalent in the Appalachian region . It has also been documented in: Asplenium - In Defense of Plants ( Asplenium rhizophyllum ): Contributes the long, tapering
: It remains green year-round, making it easier to spot on rocky outcrops during the winter months.
Unlike many hybrids that are sterile, Asplenium pinnatifidum is a fertile . It originated from a natural cross between two other ferns: : It typically grows in small, dense clusters
The ( Asplenium pinnatifidum ) is a small, evergreen fern that primarily inhabits the crevices of non-calcareous rocks, such as sandstone and shale, across the Appalachian Mountains and into the Midwest. Often overlooked by casual hikers, this rare plant is a fascinating example of evolutionary biology in action, representing a stable, fertile hybrid species. A Hybrid Origin