Ebony Spleenwort Asplenium platyneuron

Ebony Spleenwort is native to South Africa and North America east of the Rocky Mountains.  It is a diminutive evergreen fern that grows in a small clump from its rhizome. It belongs to the Spleenwort family of ferns whose name is based on historical belief that these plants had medicinal value pertaining to the spleen.  This species' common name is derived from its dark, shiny stem.  Some Canadian Provinces and U.S. states consider this plant a vulnerable or endangered species.  In its native conditions, it grows in a broad range of habitats such as rocky banks and outcrops, disturbed sites, fields, and wooded slopes.  It grows best in well drained rocky soils, in shade to part sun, with dry to medium moisture.  It is characterized by its dimorphic fronds.  Sterile evergreen fronds are lighter green, glossy, slightly arching or may lay close to or flat on the ground. Fertile deciduous fronds are erect, dark green and die off in the winter.  A central stem (stipe) is dark purple-brown.  Spleenworts do not produce flowers or fruit and primarily reproduce by spores located in sori on undersides of their leaves.  Ebony Spleenwort reproduces by spores and also propagates vegetatively, forming buds near the base of the stem on either sterile or fertile fronds.  Pale button-like buds appear on the upper side of the lowest leaflets.  When buds fall off and contact soil, or get covered over with woodland leaf litter, growth is stimulated and they produce new ferns as the parent plant dies off.  The upright form of the fertile fronds ensures efficient spore dispersal over long distances.  It does not propagate via its rhizome.  This fern is knowm to naturally hybridize with other species, producing sterile offspring.   In landscape or garden use, this fern does best in shaded, gritty, humus rich, well drained soils with dry to medium moisture.  It is not particularly sensitive to pH but prefers acidic conditions with pH 4.5-5.  It is easy to grow and suitable for woodland or native plant gardens in dry, rocky, shady crevices.

Insects, Diseases, and other Plant Problems:  This fern has no major diseases but is susceptible to slugs and black fern aphid.  If conditions remain too wet it may be susceptible to crown rot.

VIDEO Created by NC State Extension's Homegrown series featuring Mark Weathington, Director of JC Raulston Arboretum.