Plant Profile: Adiantum capillus-veneris

A clumping fern that sheds its leaves seasonally, this species is found in temperate and tropical areas across the globe. Its genus name is derived from the Greek term "adiantos," which translates to "unwetted," highlighting the plant's water-repellent leaves. The specific epithet originates from Latin, meaning "hair of Venus," which is reflected in its common name, the "Venus maidenhair fern."

This fern propagates through short, creeping rhizomes and thrives in moist, humus-rich soil that is alkaline to neutral, ideally in partial to full shade. In North Carolina, it is classified as endangered due to the decline of its Appalachian habitat.