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California Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum jordanii)

California Maidenhair
Frond detail

Overview

California Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum jordanii) is a delicate, deciduous fern with fan-shaped pinnae on wiry black stems. It is endemic to California and Baja California.

Taxonomy

Family:	Pteridaceae
Genus:	Adiantum (ad-ee-AN-tum)
Species:	jordanii (jor-DAN-ee-eye)

Description

Fronds are 20–50 cm long, bipinnate, with wedge-shaped, lobed pinnae. Stipes and rachises are black, polished, and wiry. The plant spreads slowly by short rhizomes.

Habitat and Cultivation

Found on moist, shaded banks and rock faces. In cultivation, needs cool, moist, well-drained soil in shade. Summer deciduous in dry climates. Hardy in USDA zones 8–10.

Ferns: Walking Fern (Asplenium rhizophyllum): Unique Fern That "Walks" Across Rocks; Log Fern (Dryopteris celsa): Tall, Hybrid Wood Fern for Moist Shade; 'Pacific Maid' Delta Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum raddianum): Compact, Vigorous Cultivar; 'Argentine Lace' Meadow-Rue Maidenhair (Adiantum thalictroides): Ultra-Fine, Lacy Cultivar; Woodwardia unigemmata: Chain Fern; Pyrrosia hastata: Felt Fern; Himalayan Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum venustum); Adder's-tongue Fern (Ophioglossum vulgatum); Tracy's Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum × tracyi); Japanese Brake Fern (Pteris nipponica): Elegant Variegated Fern for Shade

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Plants

Maidenhair Tree (Ginkgo biloba): The Living Fossil with Unique Fan-Shaped Leaves

Fern Tree (Filicium decipiens): Graceful Shade for Tropics

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

Coastal Wood Fern (Dryopteris arguta): Tough, Evergreen Fern for California Gardens

Brittle Maidenhair Fern 'Farleyense' (Adiantum tenerum 'Farleyense')

Cheilanthes sieberi: Mulga Fern

Crown Fern (Blechnum discolor): Distinctive New Zealand Fern