Practical
Plants

Asplenium adiantum-nigrum

Black Spleenwort

an evergreen member of the Asplenium genus in the family Polypodiaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Foliage
evergreen
Height
0.5 m

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Although we have found no reports of toxicity for this species, a number of ferns contain carcinogens so some caution is advisable[5]. Many ferns also contain thiaminase, an enzyme that robs the body of its vitamin B complex. In small quantities this enzyme will do no harm to people eating an adequate diet that is rich in vitamin B, though large quantities can cause severe health problems. The enzyme is destroyed by heat or thorough drying, so cooking the plant will remove the thiaminase[4].

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is bitter, diuretic, laxative and ophthalmic[8]. It is taken internally to treat diseases of the spleen, jaundice and ophthalmia[8]. It is said to produce sterility in women[8]. A decoction or syrup made from the fronds is emmenagogue, expectorant and pectoral[8]. It is used to relieve troublesome coughs[9].

Product or use
Bitter
Product or use
Contraceptive
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Pectoral

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A decoction of the herb is a good hair wash[3].

Product or use
Hair care

Environment

Range
Most of Europe south of the Faroes, including Britain, to the Himalayas, N. and S. Africa.
Habitat
Rocky woods, hedgebanks, shady walls and rocks[3].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Spores - best sown as soon as they are ripe on the surface of a humus-rich sterilized soil. Keep the compost moist, preferably by putting a plastic bag over the pot. Germinates in spring[1]. Spring sown spores germinate in 1 - 3 months at 15°c[2]. Pot on small clumps of plantlets as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse. Keep them humid until they are well established. When they are at least 15cm tall, plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a partly shaded site with preferably less than 3 hours sunshine daily[5]. Plants can be grown in old brick walls[6]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer[7].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Rice. G. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan. 1988-00-00

    ↩

  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  6. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩

  7. Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8

    ↩

  8. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩

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