Asplenium trichomanes spores grow into the maidenhair spleenwort — a rhizomatous, lithophytic fern with a near-cosmopolitan distribution across temperate regions of both hemispheres, growing primarily on rock walls, cliff faces and stone outcrops. Described by Linnaeus (1753). The epithet trichomanes derives from the Greek thrix/trichos (hair) + manes, referring to the hair-fine fronds. One of the smallest and most familiar European rock ferns — produces short, linear fronds of 5–20 cm with paired, rounded pinnules on a polished, dark maroon to almost black central rachis. Multiple subspecies adapted to different substrate acidities: subsp. trichomanes on acid rocks and subsp. quadrivalens on calcareous rocks. A fern with a long history in European herbal medicine, used for respiratory conditions since antiquity. Family Aspleniaceae, Order Polypodiales.Full sun to partial shade; rock crevices with well-drained root run; cool to warm temperate conditions; drought-tolerant once established. Spore germination: sterile humid substrate, weeks to months. 'Trichomanes' from Greek = hair; polished dark maroon-black rachis with paired rounded pinnules Multiple subspecies (trichomanes on acid; quadrivalens on calcareous); European herbal medicine Cosmopolitan (temperate) — temperate biome; Linnaeus (1753); rock walls and cliff faces Genus Asplenium: ~700 species, cosmopolitan; Family Aspleniaceae (Order Polypodiales) Full sun to partial shade; rock crevices; cool temperate; drought-tolerant; Family Aspleniaceae Asplenium trichomanes is the maidenhair spleenwort — one of the smallest and most familiar rock-dwelling ferns of the temperate world, its neat linear fronds with polished dark rachis decorating the walls, cliffs and rockeries of every temperate continent in a near-cosmopolitan distribution that reflects the extraordinary spore-dispersal ability of this ancient fern family. IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.
