Plantae > Tracheophyta > Polypodiopsida > Polypodiales > Pteridaceae > Adiantum > Adiantum abscissum

Adiantum abscissum (northern maidenhair; maidenhair; maidenfern; maidenhair fern)

Synonyms:

Attributes

Allergen Potential [1]  Medium-Low
Screening - Summer [2]  Moderate
Screening - Winter [2]  Porous
Bloom Period [2]  Summer
Drought Tolerance [2]  Low
Fire Tolerance [2]  Medium
Frost Free Days [2]  80 days
Fruit/Seed Abundance [2]  High
Fruit/Seed Begin [2]  Summer
Fruit/Seed End [2]  Fall
Growth Form [2]  Rhizomatous
Growth Period [2]  Spring, Summer
Growth Rate [2]  Moderate
Hazards [3]  Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable; Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase;
Leaf Type [2]  Deciduous
Lifespan [3]  Perennial
Propagation [2]  Container, Sprig
Regrowth Rate [2]  Slow
Root Depth [2]  10 inches (25 cm)
Seed Spread Rate [2]  Slow
Seed Vigor [2]  Low
Shape/Orientation [2]  Semi-Erect
Structure [3]  Fern
Usage [3]  The stipe of the plant is used as an ornament in basketry; The leaves can be used as a lining for carrying or storing fruits in baskets and on racks; The plant is used as a hair conditioner; The stems have been used as a hair wash to make the hair shiny; Plants can be used for ground cover when planted about 30cm apart either way, they form a slowly spreading clump;
Vegetative Spread Rate [2]  Moderate
Flower Color [2]  Brown
Foliage Color [2]  Dark Green
Fruit Color [2]  Brown
Fall Conspicuous [2]  Yes
Height [3]  18 inches (0.45 m)
Width [3]  18 inches (0.45 m)
Hardiness Zone Minimum [2]  USDA Zone: 3 Low Temperature: -40 F° (-40 C°) → -30 F° (-34.4 C°)
Light Preference [2]  Mostly Shady
Soil Acidity [2]  Moderate Acid
Soil Fertility [2]  Very Rich
Water Use [2]  Moderate
View Plants For A Future Record : Adiantum abscissum

Protected Areas

External References

USDA Plant Profile

Citations

Attributes / relations provided by
1Derived from Allergy-Free Gardening OPALS™, Thomas Leo Ogren (2000)
2USDA Plants Database, U. S. Department of Agriculture
3Plants For A Future licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License
Species taxanomy provided by GBIF Secretariat (2022). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei accessed via GBIF.org on 2023-06-13; License: CC BY 4.0