Adiantum bellum

Adiantum bellum (Bermuda maidenhair fern) is a species of fern in the family Pteridaceae,[1] and is native to Bermuda.

Bermuda maidenhair fern
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Class: Polypodiopsida
Order: Polypodiales
Family: Pteridaceae
Genus: Adiantum
Species:
A. bellum
Binomial name
Adiantum bellum

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]

Adiantum 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. 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.
  2. "Bermuda's Flora" Bermuda Online
  3. Phillips-Watlington, Christine (1996) Bermuda's Botanical Wonderland: a field guide Macmillan Education, London, ISBN 0-333-60652-3
  4. Rugg, Harold Goddard (January 1912) "Random Notes on Bermuda Ferns" American Fern Journal 2(1): pp. 16-18
  5. "Adiantaceae Adiantum bellum Moore" The International Plant Names Index
  6. Gilbert, Benjamin D. (December 1898) "Revision of the Bermuda Ferns" Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 25(12): pp. 593-604
  7. Moore, Thomas (1879) Gardener's Chronicle 2nd series, 11: 172 f. 24
  8. Gilbert, Benjamin D. (December 1898) "Revision of the Bermuda Ferns" Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 25(12): pp. 593-604, p. 595
  9. Taylor, Earle W. (October 1963) "A Fern Garden at the Fresno Museum" American Fern Journal 53(4): pp. 159-165, p. 163
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  • Bermuda maidenhair ferns (Adiantum bellum)
  • Bermuda maidenhair fern (Adiantum bellum)
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