Species of the Month: March 2025

Maidenhair Spleenwort Asplenium trichomanes

A common sight growing on walls and rocky habitats in Wales, Maidenhair Spleenwort is a small distinctive fern.

The species has long fronds made up of short, round leaflets paired from a central black stem. Leaflets are around 1cm long, and decrease in size towards the tip of the fronds. The main possible confusion species is Green Spleenwort, however this has a green stem so can easily be distinguished. 

It is worth keeping an eye out for the rare subspecies Lobed Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes subsp. pachyrachis, more information here) which does occur in our area. This subspecies is particularly prevelant on mortared castle walls in Monmouthshire (in contrast to the wilder English locations mentioned in the link above), and prefers damper and shadier sections of castle walls than the commoner subspecies.

Maidenhair Spleenwort has an almost worldwide distribution due to its hardiness and ability to grow in a variety of rocky locations. It can be found throughout the SEWBReC area; view a 1km distribution map for the SEWBReC area here.

You can see more images of Maidenhair Spleenwort on Naturespot and more information on Wild Flower Finder. You can view a Wales-wide distribution map here.

If you spot Maidenhair Spleenwort during March (or at any other time of year) please send us the record, ideally via SEWBReCORD or the LERC Wales App. Instructions on how to submit records are available here.