Asplenium aethiopicum
Family
Aspleniaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Ferns
Conservation status
Not applicable
Distribution
Naturalised in New Zealand. Reported from Bay of Islands, Auckland and Christchurch. Uncommon but appears to be increasing around Auckland.
Year naturalised
2003
Etymology
asplenium: From the Greek a- ‘without’ and splene ‘spleen’, a northern hemisphere species, the black spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum-nigrum), was once believed to be a cure for diseases of the spleen.
aethiopicum: Africa (especially South Africa); name derived from Aethiops, an African and son of Vulcan, the Greek God of metalworking and fire
Reason For Introduction
Horticultural
Reproduction
By spores
Dispersal
Wind dispersed
Tolerances
Dislikes damp or wet places. Prefers dry, hot, sunny sites.
Attribution
Fact Sheet prepared for NZPCN by P.J. de Lange (7 March 2005).
NZPCN Fact Sheet citation
Please cite as: de Lange, P.J. (Year at time of access): Asplenium aethiopicum Fact Sheet (content continuously updated). New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora/species/asplenium-aethiopicum/ (Date website was queried)