Obsidian Soul · CC0
About
Known commonly as the bird's-nest fern, *Asplenium nidus* is a striking tropical fern that forms large, simple, banana-leaf-like fronds. These fronds are light green, often crinkled, and develop a characteristic massive nest appearance as they brown and roll back.
Field notes
Morphology
The fronds are large and simple, ranging from 50–150 cm long and 10–20 cm broad, with occasional individuals reaching up to 200 cm long by 60 cm wide. They are light green, often crinkled, and feature a distinct black midrib. Spores develop in sori that form long rows extending from the midrib on the underside of the frond.
Distribution & habitat
Native to east tropical Africa (including Tanzania and the Zanzibar Archipelago), and across tropical Asia, including Indonesia, East Timor, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and northern Australia, Queensland, and the Pacific Islands.
Cultivation notes
It is widely cultivated in temperate regions as a houseplant, tolerating minimum temperatures of 10 °C (50 °F). It thrives in warm, humid areas and prefers partial to full shade, disliking direct sunlight.
History & etymology
Linnaeus first described the species in 1753 in his Species Plantarum. The species has also been used locally in folk medicine for ailments such as asthma and sores.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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