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Hen and Chicken Fern (Asplenium gracillimum)

Hen and Chicken Fern

Overview

Hen and Chicken Fern (Asplenium gracillimum) is a New Zealand fern that produces bulbils (chickens) on the upper surface of its fronds, which drop off and grow into new plants.

Taxonomy

Family:	Aspleniaceae
Genus:	Asplenium (ass-PLEE-nee-um)
Species:	gracillimum (grass-IL-ih-mum)

Description

Fronds are 30–60 cm long, pinnate, with narrow, pointed pinnae. Bulbils form near the tips of pinnae. The plant forms a graceful, arching clump.

Habitat and Cultivation

Found in damp forests and banks. Easy to grow in moist, shady conditions. Bulbils root readily when in contact with soil. Hardy in mild climates; protect from hard frost.

Ferns: Walking Fern (Asplenium rhizophyllum): Unique Fern That "Walks" Across Rocks; Log Fern (Dryopteris celsa): Tall, Hybrid Wood Fern for Moist Shade; Woodwardia unigemmata: Chain Fern; Pyrrosia hastata: Felt Fern; Adder's-tongue Fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum); Basket Fern (Drynaria rigidula); Licorice Fern (Polypodium glycyrrhiza); Staghorn Fern (Platycerium wallichii); Fragile Fern (Cystopteris protrusa); Japanese Brake Fern (Pteris nipponica): Elegant Variegated Fern for Shade

Garden Articles

Fern Tree (Filicium decipiens): Graceful Shade for Tropics

Dixie Wood Fern (Dryopteris × australis): Robust Hybrid Fern for Southern Gardens

Bladder Fern / Bulblet Fern (Cystopteris bulbifera): Delicate Fern with Bulblets for Easy Propagation

Thelypteris decursive-pinnata: Japanese Beech Fern

Swamp Fern (Blechnum serrulatum)

Cheilanthes sieberi: Mulga Fern

Crown Fern (Blechnum discolor): Distinctive New Zealand Fern

Plants

Woodwardia radicans: European Chain Fern

Polystichum setiferum: Soft Shield Fern

Cheilanthes farinosa: Floury Cloak Fern

Pellaea rotundifolia: Button Fern (Roundleaf Fern)

Island Goldback Fern (Pityrogramma chrysophylla)

Mexican Male Fern (Dryopteris pseudofilix-mas)

Blue Fern (Microsorum thailandicum)