Asplenium - Aspleniaceae

Asplenium ruta-muraria L.

 

 

 

 

Synonyms

Asplenium ruta-muraria L. var. brevifolium (Roth) Heufl.
Asplenium ruta-muraria L. var. angustifolium Haller ex H.Christ
Asplenium ruta-muraria L. var. subcuneifolium H.Christ

Common name

Ebony spleenwort.

Description

Rhizome erect, occasionally branching; rhizome scales clathrate, to 3mm, dark brown. Frond 15 x 5 cm, evergreen, monomorphic, blade/stipe ratio: 1:2 to 1:1. Stipe purple-brown at base, fading to green, dark brown, narrowly deltate scales at base grading into multicellular hairs. Lamina 2-pinnate at the base, said to be occasionally more divided, always less upwards, oblong-triangular in outline, leathery, dull, commonly with tiny glandular hairs and a few linear scales. Pinnae 2 to 5 pairs, opposite to alternate, stemmed, variable in shape, margins toothed, veins free, forking. Sori linear, along a vein; indusium translucent, pale tan, fimbriate, hidden by sporangia at maturity, on one side of the sorus, opening toward the middle of the segment.

Notes

Derivation

ruta: the bitter herb rue; murus: a wall.

Habitat

Rock crevices and screes, on limestone.

Distribution worldwide

Europe, northern Africa, Mideast, central Asia, Japan, eastern North America.

Distribution in Africa

Algeria, Morocco and Western Sahara.

Growth form

Lithophytic.

Literature

  • Roux, J.P. (2009) Synopsis of the Lycopodiophyta and Pteridophyta of Africa, Madagascar and neighbouring islands. Strelitzia 23, South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria. Page 95.
  • Stuart, T. (2004-) Hardy Fern Library. Published on the internet: http://hardyfernlibrary.com/ferns/home.cfm. Page 0. (Includes a picture).

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