Asplenium appendiculatum

Asplenium appendiculatum has foliage that is dark green, with blades that are 100-300 × 50–150 mm long, leathery and slightly drooping. Blade is lanceolate (slightly wider at a short distance above the base, tapering to a point at the tip) to oblong (tapering at the ends but about the same width throughout) in shape. Asplenium appendiculatum is often confused with Asplenium bulbiferum, however lacks bulbils (vegetative clones of the fern). == Taxonomy and Name ==

Both the common and scientific name ‘spleenwort’ is derived from Asplenium species being used under the doctrine of signatures, to treat ailments of the spleen. This was belief was based on the spleen shaped sori. ‘Wort’ is an ancient English term that means ‘plant’. The species name appendiculatum, is Latin for 'with appendages. Asplenium appendiculatum was formerly known as Asplenium terrestre, meaning ground dwelling. This name was derived from its terrestrial growth habit in New Zealand, where it was discovered by P. J. Brownsey in 1977. It was once thought to be endemic to New Zealand. ==Taxonomy==

A global phylogeny of Asplenium published in 2020 divided the genus into eleven clades, which were given informal names pending further taxonomic study. A. appendiculatum belongs to the "Neottopteris clade", members of which generally have somewhat leathery leaf tissue. It forms a clade with A. flaccidum and A. chathamense. == Habitat and distribution ==

Tasmania In Tasmania Asplenium appendiculatum grows in wet sclerophyll forests, fern gullies and rocky outcrops on low mountain summits. New Zealand In New Zealand, Asplenium appendiculatum grows in lowland to subalpine forested areas, but is also found in bluffs and rocky outcrops in grey scrub. == References ==