Bradley's Spleenwort May 2026

This fern has a fascinating evolutionary history known as . It originated as a hybrid between the Mountain Spleenwort ( A. montanum ) and the Ebony Spleenwort ( A. platyneuron ).

Bradley's spleenwort is highly specialized and is often referred to as an "Appalachian spleenwort". bradley's spleenwort

: The lower half of the stalk is a distinct shiny, reddish-brown or blackish color, while the upper half (the rachis) transitions to green. This fern has a fascinating evolutionary history known as

: The frond consists of 6 to 14 pairs of triangular, toothed leaflets. The lowest pair are often the largest, and they gradually decrease in size toward the tip. platyneuron )

: It prefers very acidic, thin soil (pH 3.5–5.0) in exposed, often sunny rock fissures. Because it thrives in such hostile conditions where other plants cannot grow, it faces little competition from more aggressive species. Conservation Status

: It is listed as endangered in states like Illinois , Indiana, and Pennsylvania, and threatened in Ohio .

: Initially, the hybrid was sterile, but through a rare natural process of chromosome doubling, it became a fertile, independent species.