Asplenium rhizophyllum

Taxobox
name = "Asplenium rhizophyllum"


image_width =
image_caption =
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Pteridophyta
classis = Pteridopsida
ordo = Polypodiales
familia = Aspleniaceae
genus = "Asplenium"
genus_authority = L.
species = "A. rhizophyllum"
binomial = "Asplenium rhizophyllum"
binomial_authority = L.
synonyms = "Camptosorus rhizophyllus"

"Asplenium rhizophyllum", the American Walking Fern, is a rare, low lying fern native to North America. It is a close relative of "Asplenium ruprechtii"cite web | url = http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=233500197 | work = Flora of North America | title = Asplenium rhizophyllum | accessdate=2007-11-21 ] (syn: "Camptosorus sibiricus") which is found in East Asia and also goes by the common name of walking fern [ [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9075948 Encyclopædia Britannica Online] ] .

Description

The name "walking fern" was derived from the way the fern spreads. The underside of each leaf contain sori, and when the tip of the leaf touches the ground, new planlets sprout, creating a "walking" effect.

The fern grows to a height of 15cm (6 inches). Its leaves are evergreen, linear to lanceolate in shape, and range from 15 to 30cm (6 to 12 inches) in length. Sori are distributed along the veins on the underside of the leaves. The plant is green in colour, with red/brown patches at the base of the leaves. These hardy plants can be found in shady spots of limestone ledges and limy forest places.

References

ources

[http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ASRH2# United States department of agriculture]
[http://www.natureserve.org/explorer/servlet/NatureServe?searchName=Asplenium+rhizophyllum+ NatureServe Explorer]
[http://hardyfernlibrary.com/ferns/listSpecies.cfm?Auto=140 Hardy Fern Library]
[http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/73625/ Daves Gardens]
[http://www.ct-botanical-society.org/ferns/aspleniumrhiz.html Connecticut Botanical Society]
[http://www.plantdelights.com/Catalog/Current/page14.html Plant Delights Nursery]
http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/abstracts/botany/Asplenium_rhizophyllum.pdf