Asplenium scolopendrium subsp. scolopendrium spores grow into the hart's tongue fern — a rhizomatous fern native to the temperate biome of western, central and southern Europe, growing in shaded, moist, sheltered habitats — woodland floors, hedgebanks, cliff faces and the walls of old wells and mine shafts, almost always on calcareous substrates. Described by Linnaeus and transferred to the current combination by Newman. The epithet scolopendrium derives from the Greek for 'centipede', referring to the rows of sori on the underside of the frond — arranged like the legs of a centipede. Among the most distinctive European ferns — its fronds are simple, strap-like and undivided (unlike most ferns), with a heart-shaped base and a tongue-like outline. Fronds are glossy, bright green and persist through winter. An important fern in European herbal medicine traditions. Numerous ornamental cultivars (crested, wavy-edged, forked) are widely grown. Family Aspleniaceae, Order Polypodiales.Partial to full shade; moist, well-drained, calcareous soils; cool to warm temperate conditions; shelter from drying winds. Spore germination: sterile humid conditions, weeks to months, prothallus stage. 'Scolopendrium' = centipede (Greek); sori rows like centipede legs; simple strap-like undivided fronds Distinctive heart-shaped base; glossy evergreen; calcareous substrates; European herbal medicine W., C. & S. Europe — temperate biome; woodland, hedgebanks, cliff faces, old wells on limestone Genus Asplenium: ~700 species, cosmopolitan; Family Aspleniaceae (Order Polypodiales) Partial to full shade; moist calcareous soils; cool temperate; evergreen; Family Aspleniaceae Asplenium scolopendrium subsp. scolopendrium is the hart's tongue fern — unique among European ferns in its simple, strap-like, undivided fronds that make it instantly recognisable on limestone woodland floors and shaded walls across Europe, an important plant in the herbal traditions of many European cultures and the parent species of numerous ornamental fern cultivars. IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.
