Maidenhair Fern

The US Department of Agriculture and the authors make no claims about the healing properties of these plants and/or their curative abilities. This information is presented to summarize traditional and folkloric medicinal uses of herbs, and is not intended to take the place of a professional medical opinion or to serve for self-diagnosis or treatment. Some of the plants listed here are toxic and should only be used by licensed professionals who can process them properly. Additionally, some of the traditional uses for these herbs have since proven to be ineffective. If you have a medical problem, consult your physician to discuss any alternatives.

Adiantum pedatum Adiantaceae familyAdditional common names: Five-fingered fern Another fern, Adiantum capillus veneris, is also sometimes referred to as maidenhair fern, but it is more commonly known as venus hair, lady fern, culantillo, or rock fern.

General Description

Botany.com 1997-2001, Foster and Duke 2000, Missouri Botanical Garden 2000

Natural Habitat

Found in moist, rich woods, ravine bottoms, and damp shady areas at low to middle elevations from Maine and Wisconsin south to Georgia and Oklahoma (Missouri Botanical Garden 2000, USDA, NRCS 2001). Hardy in USDA zones 4 to 9 (Horticopia, Inc. 2001).

Uses

Both the roots and leaves are used medicinally. Actions are antirheumatic, astringent, demulcent, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, haemostatic, pectoral, and tonic. The leaves and roots are made into a tea or syrup and used to treat asthma, influenza, nasal congestion, coughs, hoarseness, and sore throats. An infusion of the whole plant is used as an emetic and treatment of fever. The root can be boiled in water and massaged into rheumatic joints. Native Americans chewed fronds and applied them to wounds to stop bleeding (Felter and Lloyd 1898, Fern 1997-2000, Foster and Duke 2000).

The plant is also used as a hair conditioner or a wash to make hair shiny (Fern 1997-2000, Foster and Duke 2000).

Maidenhair fern is used as an ornamental border plant or groundcover in landscaping in woodland gardens, shaded rock gardens, or native plantings (Missouri Botanical Garden 2000).

Status

This plant is listed on the United Plant Savers "To Watch" list. The native medicinal plants on this list have been proposed for inclusion on the "At Risk" list, but further research is needed to confirm their status. In some cases, the plants are abundant in one bioregion and quite rare in another (United Plant Savers).

Silviculture

Grows in medium-textured, humousy, acidic soils that are moist but well-drained. Prefers full to part shade (Missouri Botanical Garden 2000).

Propagation can be done by division or spores. Spores should be sown as soon as they are ripe (dark brown or yellowish-brown color). Set a frond in a paper bag for several hours to collect spores as they fall. Sprinkle the spores on top of fine, moist potting medium, cover with glass or plastic to keep humidity high, and keep in a warm place until the spores germinate. When tiny plantlets become visible, separate them out and press on top of medium in separate pots. Bottom water plants until the first fronds are well-developed. Roots can be divided in spring or fall (Botany.com 1997-2001, Fern 1997-2000).

References

• Additional NTFP References
• Garden Web Glossary of Botanical Terms
• Dictionary of Medical Terms
• National Arboretum USDA Hardiness Zones Map