Adiantum bellum
| Bermuda Maidenhair Fern | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Pteridophyta |
| Class: | Pteridopsida |
| Order: | Polypodiales[1] |
| Family: | Pteridaceae[1] |
| Genus: | Adiantum |
| Species: | A. bellum |
| Binomial name | |
| Adiantum bellum T. Moore | |
Adiantum bellum (Bermuda Maidenhair Fern) is a species of fern in the genus Adiantum (maidenhairs), and is native to Bermuda.
It is 1 of 19 ferns native to Bermuda, the only native maidenhair, and the most prolific fern on the island.[2][3][4] It is found only on Bermuda; however the IPNI reports it also found in Guiana.[5]
A. bellum is deciduous. In the wild it grows in crevices, on cliffs and under rock ledges, in roadside verge, and terrestrially on hillsides. It does require moisture and shade, and is often prolific near streams if in well-drained sites.[3][4][6] The delicate fronds grow to 5–30 cm long, and are fan-shaped, light to medium green with black stems (stipes and rachises).[6][7] Benjamin D. Gilbert described a variety of A. bellum which he called walsingense;[6] however, it is believed that this is just a variety produced by better soil and moisture conditions.[4]
The other maidenhair fern that now grows wild on Bermuda, Adiantum capillus-veneris, was introduced by Governor Lefroy.[8]
Bermuda Maidenhair Fern is sometimes grown in gardens; however, it is not hardy and does better indoors.[9]
Notes
- 1 2 Christenhusz, Maarten J. M.; Zhang, Xian-Chun; Schneider, Harald (2011). "A linear sequence of extant families and genera of lycophytes and ferns" (PDF). Phytotaxa 19: 7–54.
- ↑ "Bermuda's Flora" Bermuda Online
- 1 2 Phillips-Watlington, Christine (1996) Bermuda's Botanical Wonderland: a field guide Macmillan Education, London, ISBN 0-333-60652-3
- 1 2 3 Rugg, Harold Goddard (January 1912) "Random Notes on Bermuda Ferns" American Fern Journal 2(1): pp. 16-18
- ↑ "Adiantaceae Adiantum bellum Moore" The International Plant Names Index
- 1 2 3 Gilbert, Benjamin D. (December 1898) "Revision of the Bermuda Ferns" Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 25(12): pp. 593-604
- ↑ Moore, Thomas (1879) Gardener's Chronicle 2nd series, 11: 172 f. 24
- ↑ Gilbert, Benjamin D. (December 1898) "Revision of the Bermuda Ferns" Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 25(12): pp. 593-604, p. 595
- ↑ Taylor, Earle W. (October 1963) "A Fern Garden at the Fresno Museum" American Fern Journal 53(4): pp. 159-165, p. 163
External links
- "Bermuda Maidenhair" photo by Don Lubin at Ferns et al. of New England
- Bermuda Maidenhair Fern Page, Bermuda Department of Conservation Services.
- "Adiantum bellum (Bermuda Maidenhair Fern)" Zipcode Zoo
Gallery
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Bermuda Maidenhair Ferns (Adiantum bellum)
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Bermuda Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum bellum)
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