Common name: common maidenhair
Adiantum aethiopicum L. APNI*
Description: Rhizome creeping, much branched, covered with papery scales.
Fronds mostly 20–50 cm high, 
Common name: common maidenhair
Adiantum aethiopicum L. APNI*
Description: Rhizome creeping, much branched, covered with papery scales.
Fronds mostly 20–50 cm high, 2–4-pinnate, stalks of the ultimate segments attached at the centre of their bases so that segments ± symmetric at base; segments 3–8 mm long, membranous, pale green, outer margin lobed or finely toothed; stipe reddish brown to dark brown to very dark red-brown.
Sterile fronds spreading. Fertile fronds erect with smaller pinnules; sori large, reniform, usually 1–5 per segment.
Distribution and occurrence: Widespread in damp open situations, often along creeks, where it often forms large colonies.
NSW subdivisions: NC, CC, SC, NT, CT, ST, NWS, CWS, SWS
Other Australian states: Qld Vic. Tas. W.A. S.A.
Text by Peter G. Wilson
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 1 (1990)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all ma