delta maidenhair fern

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• delta maidenhair fern
• Delta Maidenhair
• Delta Maidenhair-fern
• Fine Maidenhair Fern

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Adiantum aemulum
• Adiantum werckleanum
• Adiantum decorum
• Adiantum mexicanum
• Adiantum weigandii
• Adiantum rubellum
• Adiantum cyclosorum
• Adiantum cuneatum var. majus
• Adiantum cuneatum var. subintegrum
• Adiantum cuneatum var. vastum
• Adiantum baenitzii
• Adiantum elegantissimum
• Adiantum gracillimum
• Adiantum cuneatum f. elongatum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Polypodiinae and the order Polypodiales, specifically within the family Pteridaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Adiantum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is specifically noted within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species can be found inhabiting Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Furthermore, its range extends into Southwestern Europe, where it grows in France. Together, these locations highlight the diverse geographical footprint of Adiantum radicans.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Adiantum raddianum is defined by its preference for highly specific moisture-rich environments, primarily thriving within the Bosque medio on saturated soil and throughout gallery forests. This species exhibits a broad vertical distribution across varying landscapes, occupying an elevational range that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum altitude of 3450 m AMSL. Its presence in saturated substrates and forest corridors suggests a close dependency on consistent hydrological cycles and the shaded, humid microclimates provided by forest canopies.

Elevational range max:

3450 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Bosque medio on saturated soil, gallery forest

Life history

The life history of Adiantum radicans is characterized by its perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a cryptophyte, utilizing specialized underground or near-surface structures to survive unfavorable conditions, and is specifically classified as a geophyte. This life form enables the plant to maintain its biological continuity by protecting its vital organs beneath the soil surface or within specialized rhizomes during periods of environmental stress.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Adiantum radianum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb, maintaining a relatively low stature with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.25 m to a maximum of 0.34 m. As a self-supporting organism, it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it operates as an independent species without parasitic tendencies. Its ecological habit is primarily terrestrial, encompassing aquatic, semiaquatic, and terrestrial environments, and it lacks epiphytic qualities, remaining strictly terrestrial rather than acting as a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.34 m

Plant height min:

0.25 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Adiantum raddianum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior

Chemicals

Adiantum raddianum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Filicene, Filicenal.

Filicene

1. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior
2. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Filicenal

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Preparations

Adiantum raddianum has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include hexane fraction, leaves, non polar fraction.

Hexane fraction

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Leaves

1. Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior

Non polar fraction

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences