Uniquely identifiable characteristics

Britains only fern with tufts of strap-shaped often wavy evergreen leaves which are between 4 and 20 inches long. The spore cases are on the reverse of the leaves, in slightly curved rows. The spores ripen between August to March. It prefers to inhabit walls, rocks, woods and hedge-banks, and favours the West of Britain. Although it is almost ubiquitous throughout Britain, it is generally absent from the Scottish Highlands.

No relation to: Hound's-tongue nor Adder's-tongue [plants of similar name, but differing family].

Hybridizes with :

• Maidenhair Spleenwort (Asplenium trichomanes) to produce Asplenium × confluens which occurs in just 3 hectads, none where the photographs were taken.
• Black Spleenwort (Asplenium adiantum-nigrum) to produce Asplenium × jacksonii which only occurs in one hectad on the northern coastline of Cornwall.
• Lanceolate Spleenwort (Asplenium obovatum) to produce Asplenium × microdon which seems to be extinct in the UK.