Asplenium rhizophyllum Linnaeus. Walking Fern. Phen: May-Oct. Hab: Moist outcrops of calcareous sedimentary, calcareous metamorphic, or mafic metamorphic rocks, such as limestone, dolostone, calcareous siltstone, amphibolite, mostly at low to moderate elevations, rarely to 1500 m or higher. Dist: S. QC, ON and se. MN south to c. GA, AL, MS, AR, OK, TX (likely Comal or Dallas counties, historical; Singhurst & Tyrrell 2023), and IA.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: This species, sometimes placed in the genus Camptosorus because of its strikingly different morphology from (most) other Asplenium, is one of the diploid progenitors of the reticulately evolved Appalachian Asplenium complex. It is a parent of A. pinnatifidum and A. ×ebenoides (as well as other sterile hybrids), both of which have inherited a limited ability to produce plantlets at the attenuate leaf-tip. It is closely related to Asplenium ruprechtii Kurata of e. Asia.

Synonymy: = Ar, C, FNA2, GrPl, Il, K1, K3, K4, Mo1, NE, NY, Ok, Pa, RAB, Tn, Va, W, Keener & Davenport (2007); = Camptosorus rhizophyllus (L.) Link – F, G, Sf, Tat, WV

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Heliophily: 1