Asplenium trichomanes
L. Common SpleenwortRhizome short, thick, covered with very dark, shiny, coarse scales. Fronds clustered, erect, 5–25 cm long. Stipe short, brittle, shiny brown to blackish, flattened above, tuft of scales at base; stipe bases persistent. Lamina once pinnate, linear, firm, deep green; rachis shiny, dark brown, brittle, grooved with narrrow, light brown fragmented wings. Pinnae shortly stalked, 15–40 pairs, asymmetrically oblong to oval, 2–10 mm long, margins deeply scalloped to almost entire; veins obscure, minor veins branching pinnately from midvein. Sori linear-oblong, oblique to midvein, not reaching margin; indusium oblong, pale, thin, with irregular margin, opening towards centre of pinna.
GleP, VVP, VRiv, EGL, EGU, HSF, HNF, MonT, VAlp. Scattered and uncommon in Victoria, occurring in rock crevices or on sheltered cliff ledges in cooler districts.
Two subspecies are recognized in Victoria, but they are extremely difficult to distinguish in the field. The following key is based on Jermy et al (1978).
Entwisle, T.J. (1994). Ferns and allied plants (Psilophyta, Lycopodiophyta, Polypodiophyta). In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 13–111. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
Spinning
