Adiantum aethiopicum
L.
Pteridaceae
This species is sometimes confused with Adiantum poirettii[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Adiantum assimile Sw.
Adiantum trigonum Labill.
Common Name: Common Maidenhair Fern
General Information
Adiantum aethiopicum is an evergreen fern producing a cluster of stems mainly 20 - 80cm tall from a creeping, much-branched rhizome[
365- Title
- Flora of New South Wales
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/floraonline.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line resource giving a brief botanical description of all the native plants of New South Wales, their habitat and range, together with diagrams and photographs of the plants.
].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use in traditional medicine.
Known Hazards
Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
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[
172- Title
- Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Schofield. J. J.
- Publisher
- Alaska Northwest Books; Alaska
- Year
- 2003
- ISBN
- 0882403699
- Description
- A nice guide to some useful plants in that area.
].
Botanical References
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
,
Range
Africa - S. Africa. Australasia - Australia, New Zealand.
Habitat
Damp, open situations, often along creeks, where it often forms large colonies[
365- Title
- Flora of New South Wales
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/floraonline.htm
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line resource giving a brief botanical description of all the native plants of New South Wales, their habitat and range, together with diagrams and photographs of the plants.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Fern |
| Height | 0.50 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Adiantum aethiopicum is native to southern Africa, most Australian states and New Zealand, experiencing climates ranging from tropical to cool temperate.
Prefers a position in partial shade, growing best in sandy or loamy soils[
1096- Title
- Native Tastes of Australia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://tasteaustralia.biz/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A website with detailed information on around 50 species of native Australian food plants, including recipes.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The fronds are astringent and emetic[
1096- Title
- Native Tastes of Australia
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://tasteaustralia.biz/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A website with detailed information on around 50 species of native Australian food plants, including recipes.
]. A decoction is used in the treatment of coughs[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
].
An infusion of the leaves is used as an emollient in the treatment of coughs and diseases of the chest[
686- Title
- American Fern Journal Vol.60
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- American Fern Society
- Year
- 1970
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains an article on the medicinal uses of Indian ferns. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
A decoction of the rhizomes is said to be abortifacient[
46- Title
- Dictionary of Economic Plants.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Uphof. J. C. Th.
- Publisher
- Weinheim
- Year
- 1959
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
].
Other Uses
None known
Propagation
Spores. Plants can be produced quickly by this method and make specimens of better shape and greater vigour than division of existing plants[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Plants, and even most cultivars, will breed true[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Division of the rootstock.
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
