Asplenium Linnaeus. Common name: Spleenwort.
A genus of about 750 species, perennials, nearly cosmopolitan. The southeastern North American flora is not especially rich in number of species, but includes a large number of the clades in the genus (Xu et al. 2020). The clades and subclades shown in the key are from Xu et al. (2020).
ID notes: Asplenium in the Southeastern United States is diverse evolutionarily and in appearance, but primarily consists of small "rock ferns".
Key advice:Several of the more frequently encountered sterile (to partly fertile) hybrids are included in the key and treated fully below. Rarer and solely sterile hybrids may be recognized by intermediate morphology and usual co-occurrence with both parents.
References: Heo et al. (2022); Heo, Yun, & Fernando (2023); Keener & Davenport (2007); Kessler & Smith (2018); Kramer & Viane In Kramer & Green (1990); Lin & Viane in FoC (2013) In Wu, Raven, & Hong (2013); Moran (1982); Morzenti & Wagner (1962); Murakami et al. (1999); Singhurst & Tyrrell (2023); Taylor, Mohlenbrock, & Burton (1976); Wagner, Moran, & Werth (1993) In Flora of North America Editorial Committee (1993b); Xu et al. (2020); Yawn et al. (2024). Show full citations.
Hover over a shape, letter, icon, or arrow on the map for definition or see the legend. Data for arrows not developed for genera and families which may have species only occurring outside the flora area.
© Gary P. Fleming | Asplenium platyneuron
© Alan Cressler: Asplenium rhizophyllum, Johnson's Rock Bluff, Little River, Fulton County, Georgia 1 by Alan Cressler | Asplenium rhizophyllum source | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Asplenium scolopendrium var. americanum | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Asplenium monanthes | Original Image ⭷
© Keith Bradley | Asplenium verecundum | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Asplenium Xebenoides, Dade County, Georgia 1 by Alan Cressler | Asplenium ×ebenoides source | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Asplenium scolopendrium var. americanum, Alabama 5 by Alan Cressler | Asplenium scolopendrium var. americanum source
© Scott Ward | Asplenium rhizophyllum | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Cressler: Asplenium trichomanes, Cohutta Wilderness, Chattahoochee National Forest, Fannin County, Georgia 2 by Alan Cressler | Asplenium trichomanes source | Original Image ⭷